Faith

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September 29, 2011 – Such a Time as Now
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion? – Esther 4:14 AMP
Esther was in the right place at the right time. She had a chance to save the Jewish people, who were at the center of a conspiracy devised by Haman. Her Uncle Mordecai asked her a question. What if this is why you’re here? She had the power to stop this evil plot and stop it she did. In the end, Haman and his sons were all executed.
Many times over the years have I come away from situations thinking that I should have said something I didn’t say or done something I didn’t do. I felt like I was misunderstood or didn’t stand my ground when I should have. Then there were times when I felt like God was leading me to do something and I did nothing. I never thought in any of those instances that I was in that specific place at that specific time for any specific purpose.
I have learned over the years that God never makes an accident. There are times when things happen to us when we are in the right place at the right time just like Esther. I, like many others, have shrugged these instances off as coincidence, but that word is not even in God’s vocabulary. Everything is part of His plan: it’s never coincidence, but always providence.
Our farm has become a final stop for several rescue animals. We made a twelve hour drive to purchase three dairy cows that were almost grazing dirt. We received a plethora of animals from one family wanting to get out of the daily routine of caring for their animals. And we drove to a remote location in the Appalachian Mountains to rescue six goats. These goats were literally starving and had even been attacked by other animals when we picked them up. They needed medication, feed and hay. We rescued only six, but in just eighteen months they have more than doubled in number. We nursed these animals back to a healthier life. Marlo even assisted in a birth that would have resulted in certain death for both mother and baby if she had not been there. Was it all coincidence? No way. God had our family in the right place at the right time to save these animals and give them a better life.
I know rescuing goats is a far cry from going before the king to save a people, but God has purposes in our life every day. One day it may be simply speaking the right words to a sales clerk who is contemplating suicide. It could be taking a meal to someone’s house without the knowledge that they have no food at home. It could even be calling out something in the church you know is wrong. These times are when we need to listen to God’s leading and act.
Acting is precisely where many Christians get stuck. Sometimes we don’t act out fear we didn’t hear from God. Then other times we are just plain lazy and defiant, choosing what we want to do rather than following God’s lead. Every time we don’t act is another squandered opportunity for God to use us. These lost chances are when we turn our backs on God.
So ask yourself today a question. Is today a time God will choose to use me like He did Esther? You may not save a nation or even a small herd of goats, but God wants to use you today for something. Had you rather not do anything and see nothing, or would you rather act on God’s leading and see your world changed? One thing is for sure: if you follow God’s leading you won’t be at the end of your day wondering what would have happened if you had actually listened to God. And you can rest easy knowing that today was indeed “such a time as this.”

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