Such a Time as This

"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 royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther 4:14

The story of Esther is one of the most beloved works of literature of all time. This Old Testament book does not mention God even one time, yet it is full of incredible lessons for us to learn. Esther had come to the Citadel of Suza because she had been carried into exile by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. There she found herself, along with all the Jews, being governed by king Xerxes. An evil man named Haman, an aid to Xerxes, devised a plan to exterminate all the Jews living in the country. But God had another plan. He raised Esther up to be the queen. Her time had come. There was a reason for her position, and she knew the time to act was upon her. She must go before king Xerxes and plead for the lives of her people. It may have cost her life, but it had to be done.
    Like Esther, we have been called for such a time as this. Like Esther, we have been elevated to royal positions. The cause is even greater than Esther's. She stood up for a nation and in the end, they were saved. We stand up for a world that is already dying. And God has called us to take his love and compassion to people living in the waning days of the earth. I don't think there is enough time to think about this while we go on living selfish lives. I believe we are to act on the call, living selfless lives. Esther went before the king, knowing that if he did not receive her, she would be put to death. But the desperation of the moment compelled her to act. The days are short, the need is great, and action is required.
    You and I have been placed in royal positions. We have already been accepted by the King of kings. We no longer have to fear for our lives. We are his. He now asks us to carry his grace to the world. This means that we must express his love, his grace, and his truth to those who do not know him. This is more than just sharing the salvation message with others, it is sharing our very lives with them, giving up ourselves for the cause of Christ. Are you ready for the challenge? The end of Esther's story was great. She helped to save a nation. The end of our story is yet to be written. But if we do not answer the call, others will. I say, "Let's take the ride!" The outcome, the end of the story will be amazing!