Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.
- Esther 2:10

In today’s passage we read that Esther held back her ethnic identity because her cousin/surrogate-father told her to do so. Why would Mordecai ask her to keep her nationality and family background a secret?

Perhaps Mordecai knew something about the racism of the systems that were in power. If Esther’s background came to the surface at the wrong time, it could expose her to abuse or ruin her chances to become queen. Maybe Mordecai is protecting her. Maybe he’s helping her play the game.

Esther’s ethnicity is one of the gifts God’s given her. It’s a good thing. Because of her ethnic identity, she’s uniquely equipped to play a major role in God’s story. But this gift is a gift she’s going to have to sit on for a while. And, when the time is right, she will have to make her secret known.

Can you identify a gift that God’s given you that you’ve had to sit on for a while? God’s gifts are valuable things. Our identities, our talents, our passions … God can use all of them to bring about beautiful things in the world he loves. But sometimes we have to be patient and wait for the right season.

What gifts do you feel like you’re sitting on right now? Take some time to ask the Lord if now is the right time for your gifts to come into play. If you’re waiting to use your gifts, ask the Lord to do a work in you while you wait patiently, to form you so you’re ready when the time comes.