Who Knows — For 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 your royal position for such a time as this?" — Esther 4:14

Do our stories matter? Do we matter in the grand scheme of things? This new series we began today looks at seven stories from Scripture through the lens of story, and the idea that God is in our story and we're in God's story.

The first of those stories is the story of Esther. Esther is a unique book in the Bible for a couple reasons. First, it's one of only two books in the Bible that is named after a heroine, the other being Ruth. Second, it's one of only two books in the Bible that doesn't reference God, the other being Song of Songs.

Some have in the past been critical of Esther because God is not explicitly named. But in reality, it seems to be a purposeful move to show how God is always present, working in our lives and in all the situations He's placed us. It reminds me of the the line in the Halverson benediction that says, "you go nowhere by accident." The implication there, and in Esther, is that God has placed us where we are to serve Him. We just need to recognize that and have the courage to say yes.

That is the crux of the faith shown by Mordecai in his response to Esther quoted above. He told her that she was free not to act, but he had faith God would get it done another way. But he ends with telling her he believes that she was put in her position for a reason, and it's time to act. For Such A Time As This.

We, too, are where we are for a reason. Our stories matter because they are part of the larger narrative God is telling in this world. We aren't all queens. We don't all have the kind of influence that can save a people from genocide. But we are all where we are For Such A Time As This.

Esther's story is inspiring because it is our story. The question is whether we, like Esther, will have the courage to act.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju...
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co...
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve...
Read more