Queen Esther

When I was little, I used to read the book of Esther every Sunday in church. I know, I should have been taking note of what the pastor was saying, but I was in elementary school and didn't really relate to anything but the funny illustrations (so I thought). Instead, I read my favorite story found in one of only two books named after a woman in the Bible.

When Pastor Matt annouced that he was going to be preaching on Esther this morning, I was thrilled...until then I remembered that quotable phrase from the story that he was most likely going to focus on. You know, the "such a time as this" phrase that never fails to convict? That one.

You see, for some time now, Cody and I have known that God is calling us to do something outside our comfort zone, but neither of us really feels ready for that big step. We say, "Yeah, God! We'll follow You!" but we really mean, "Sure, God. We'll follow you in a while...just let us get settled here first."

Interestingly enough, God did convict me--heavily--during the sermon. It was not, however, "such a time as this" that got to me, though. Instead, the part right before that famous phrase hit me between the eyes. Let me give it to you straight from the source:

"Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: 'Don't think for a moment that because you're in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die.'" He then goes on to ask if Esther has considered that maybe, just maybe, God made her queen so that she could be there for this exact moment in history. Hmmmm...

For some reason, I tend to get this cocky attitude with God...like HE needs ME and not the other way around. How egocentric can someone be? It is a blessing, a privilege, to be chosen to be here for such a time as this. If I choose not to be used for His great work, I am the one who will miss out, not God and His plan. There are others who will be obedient, and likely do so with a better attitude than my track record shows I have. Am I willing to let these opportunities pass me by when I could be like Queen Esther? She was a queen that showed courage. Let me never have to be coaxed to do His work, even when faced with seemingly insurrmountable tasks.