The words, “for such a time as this” are taken from the book of Esther when Mordecai told his cousin, Queen Esther that she needed to step up and go to the king to plead on behalf of her people, the Jews. At first, she balked because of the fact that anyone who went into the presence of the king without being summoned and to whom he did not hold out his golden scepter, was killed. To which Mordecai responded:

Esther 4:13–14 (ESV) — 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

What Mordecai was reminding Esther is a good reminder for all of us namely: God has us all in a unique place in life for a specific purpose. Too many times we seek to dodge that purpose by one excuse or another. But we should remember that if God had Esther in the unique place at just the right time, so He has you and me in the position in which we find ourselves for “such a time as this.”

Consider the apostle Paul in a Roman prison connected to a guard by an 18” chain. Paul could have complained to God but look how he considered the situation of his imprisonment:

Philippians 1:12–18 (ESV) — 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Although Paul didn’t use the exact phrase that he was where he was for “such a time as this,” consider all that he found happening as a result of his imprisonment:

1. General advancement of the Gospel
2. The Gospel known among the imperial guard – those specialized soldiers that moved from place to place who were probably the ones chained to Paul so you know that they heard the Gospel not only directly but indirectly as Paul spoke to others and as he dictated his letters to churches. Evidently, there were conversions among the imperial guard so much so that Paul concluded the next benefit of his imprisonment…
3. Conversions in the palace within Caesar’s household.

Philippians 4:22 (ESV) — 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

4. The timid believers in Rome becoming bold in the faith
5. The Gospel spreading even by those who were opposed to Paul, who thought that preaching the Gospel would add torment to his life but on the contrary he saw that as long as Christ is preached that’s all that mattered .

Stop and take an assessment of where you are right now in your life. Consider the people around you, the responsibilities you have, and look at the unique opportunities that God has placed in your life. It’s not by accident that you are where you are at “such a time as this.”

Romans 8:28 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We often turn to the scripture above for comfort in times of difficulty, reminding ourselves that God uses all things for our good as He conforms us in character to the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. (see Romans 8:28-31) But consider also the way in which God, who is in control of all things, also leads us to the place where we can be used uniquely by Him for a specific purpose. Therefore, your life is not in vain, the place you are in life is not haphazard, your uniqueness of talent, experience, and makeup is not a quirk. The very God who is in control of every atom in the universe has you where you are for “such a time as this.”

Whoa! Think about what that says – your life has purpose. It’s our job to rethink where we are and what God may have for us “in such a time as this.” It begins by renewing our commitment and submission to Him on a daily basis, it continues as we look at every situation as an opportunity for Him to use us, and it means we spend more time seeking to be in tune to the Spirit of God and His leading, rather than trying to change our situation to something more comfortable.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Luke 9:23 (ESV) — 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 (ESV) — 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

We’d all agree that these are unique days and some would look at the time in which we are living as a time of great trouble, others see it as great opportunity. If we are in tune to God’s working and seeking to be obedient to God n the small things, then every day is an opportunity.

Don’t you think that living each day with that attitude would be better than seeing things as negative and complaining. It begins with our attitude of seeing each day that God has you and me in a unique place for “such a time as this.” Don’t blow it!

Godspeed,

Bob Brubaker