“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place…who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Recently, I was talking to a friend about all the great things we would do if we won the lottery. With all that money and influence, what blessings we could bring to the community! Then we laughed about it since neither of us plays the lottery. If we were going to be blessed with wealth, it wouldn’t come from a set of six ping pong balls inscribed with little numbers.

In the Book of Esther, we find a young Jewish woman who won her own Powerball lottery.  The agents of the King Xerxes of Persia have kidnapped beautiful women from which Xerxes would pick his next queen.  God’s hand is at work here. Esther is selected for the harem, quickly wins over all the attendants in Xerxes’ court, receives special treatment, and is chosen as the next queen. Great wealth and luxurious surroundings are hers. 

Some time later, Esther’s adoptive father Mordecai, also Jewish, refuses to bow to one of Xerxes’ chief officials. Haman is furious, and through lies and bribery (3:8-9) convinces Xerxes to kill all the Jews exiled in his kingdom. Hearing of the edict, Mordecai instructs Esther to “beg for mercy and plead with [Xerxes] for her people” (4:8). 

Esther finds herself in a challenging position. Stay comfortable in the wealth and comfort given her as Xerxes’ queen? Or realize these blessings and her royal position are not just good luck but God’s hand at work? What will she decide? Fearful, Esther tells Mordecai approaching Xerxes without being summoned risks her death. 

This is where Mordecai replies with a real “mic drop” moment: “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14). Mordecai emphasizes God has a purpose for Esther; this is her moment to act. She consents; the Jewish exiles are saved.

I’m brought back to my own moment. What would Mordecai say to me as I was thinking about all the good stuff I could do were I rich and influential?  I’m certain he would remind me that God has put me where I am right now and given me the gifts I need to carry out the work He wants me to do.

Is there a Mordecai in your life calling you to action? Be thankful for the blessings in your life. But look at your blessings not as something you were given, but as a way you can give back. Listen, reflect, and act!