For such a time as this…

Those six words continue to echo in my head. As my birthday inches forward I find myself moving closer to the bi-centennial clock. I can’t help but wonder – what will be.

As I was working on a new project today I came across a document I had written out in 2008. My eyes stared at the words and my mind went into rewind to visit where I was then. I was in full swing in my career. I started on the path to finish my bachelor’s degree, just for an accomplishment. I didn’t plan to switch careers.

Until one day, I decided to go after a dream that was laid to rest back in the 1980’s. Everything begins with a thought. I was an empty nester, and thought – why not. What do I have to lose?

Looking back. The answer I would discover years later was – everything. And yet, I have gained so much more.

For such a time as this….

When life puts us in the spin cycle things get out of sorts, and our clarity can become blurred. We lose focus, and may begin to ask the age old question – now what?

Has life ever been on track for you, then all of a sudden it spins out of control? If so, has it stopped yet? Mine hasn’t stopped, but it has slowed down. I have tried not to think about what was because that is gone. Can’t change it. Can’t get it back.

In the words of the Apostle Paul I try to keep my eyes focused forward.

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.” Phil. 3:12-13 MSG

I imagine Queen Esther and Daniel both thinking the same thing. They had things planned out. A dream, a goal. And then, life changed. For Queen Esther she ends up leaving her uncle’s house. Her comforts, friends, and own bed, only to be recruited by the king’s men. Friends, this is not Cinderella’s story. It would be more like Disney meets The Bachelor, followed by Survivor. She is forced to compete with other girls in the kingdom, and go through a 12 month beauty process. Esther 2.

Daniel on the other hand, a young teenager, hanging out with his friends, was living everyday life in Jerusalem. All of a sudden finds himself taken into captivity to Babylon. He is now required to learn their ways. They put him in culture classes to become one of them.

In both instances both Daniel and Esther found themselves in new environments. Learning new things. Dealing with new people. And, in both instances they remain true to themselves. And, to God.

Esther had to deal with facing the king without an invitation. To do so meant death. Yet, in an effort to protect her people – The Jews. She goes.

“Esther sent back her answer to Mordecai: “Go and get all the Jews living in Susa together. Fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, either day or night. I and my maids will fast with you. If you will do this, I’ll go to the king, even though it’s forbidden. If I die, I die.”’ Esth. 4: 15-16 MSG

Daniel, along with his three friends decide they will attempt to control the only thing they can while living in captivity. What they eat. This is to remain true to God.

“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.” Dan. 1:8 NLT

For the Apostle Paul, Queen Esther, and Daniel, their lives were turned upside down. What once was the sky reflecting off the water, the water reflected off the sky, and for them there was a reason.

For such a time as this…

They embraced it, and forged ahead. When life reflects upside down for us, when we get thrown into the spin cycle, do we forge ahead? Do we remain true to God? Or do we conform to society’s standards?

The words that stood face to face with me today, that were scribed in 2008, were written as part of a development plan I was writing for myself.

Express a desire to achieve a particular accomplishment.

• Option to retire at 50.

Today that’s not an option for a particular accomplishment. However, where God has placed me is not in a palace with a king, or in Babylon in captivity. Like the Apostle Paul I am not facing the Sadducees and Pharisees.

In similar form I am in a new environment. Meeting new people. Tapping into old skills in an effort to pour into my co-workers, motivation, encouragement, and a sense of accomplishment. I have shared stories, related to others, and empathized with them. But today, when those five words stood at attention, as my eyes scanned each letter, I find myself asking the same question the Queen Esther’s uncle asked her –

“Who knows if perhaps you were made… for just such a time as this?” Esth. 4:14b NLT

Today as the bi-centennial clock ticks forward the goal to retire at 50 has faded, but God has placed my feet on a new path. A path that will lead to new goals, new dreams, and a new accomplishment that will fit  –

For such a time as this…

Wherever you are at in life today ask yourself the same question, and who knows, if perhaps you were made –

  For such a time as this.

 

©Gentle Whisper Ministries 2016

*pictures by 4freeimagesforyou, lifehappens