“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For 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?”
- Esther 4:13-14

We’ve been talking about “for such a time as this” moments for several weeks now. This is the passage where that phrase comes from.

Esther would have experienced a great deal of benefit over the years from her position as queen. She would have had access to a life of luxury: good food, a beautiful palace and servants. She would have found her place in society. And through it wouldn’t have been the life she always dreamed of, it wouldn’t have been a miserable life.

We wonder what Esther would have said – before the events in Chapter 3 and 4 – if you had asked her “Why do you think you have risen to this position?” Maybe she would have said: “Because God loves me” or “Because I deserve it.” Would it have even been possible for her to have imagined an answer like: “To play a key role in God’s purposes for my family, people and nation”?

Don’t worry if you can’t discern yet why God has positioned you in the place he’s positioned you. Start with the presupposition that he’s at work positioning you for something bigger than your comfort. And then cultivate a posture of keeping your eyes open in case God wants to reveal more broadly what he’s doing with you.

And remember, the place where God invites us to step in is often surprising and un-expected. Especially at the very beginning. So be open to the work of God’s Spirit in any area of your life.

Who knows why you’re in the particular place you find yourself? God knows. The task to us is to trust that he’s at work and, when we discover something of what he’s doing, to join in.

What do you see God doing around you? Where can you join in?