From the womb to the grave, God has a precise plan for each and every one of our lives. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) So even before we got here, God already had a purpose and a plan for our very existence. Think about that… God penciled you in! Just like an appointment on a calendar, a set time for a specific purpose, He decided and designed you exactly the way you are for a set time and a set place… for such a time as this. God even knows the specific situations that may be painful and frightening but will walk you through it all to fulfill His purpose. From pain one can be ushered to a platform to speak up for those persecuted to fulfill His divine purpose in us all.
There are many examples in the Bible of people who God raised up to deliver His people and others. Esther is one of them. I love reading about her tenacity to do what was right even though she was afraid. She was young, smart and beautiful, but most of all, she was appointed to live out her purpose and preserve her people. Though Esther may not have seen her potential and purpose at first, God had already positioned her in the palace to save the Jewish people from an evil plot of the enemy to annihilate them. She just had to open her mouth and speak up against evil.
Esther was just an ordinary girl but when she caught King Xerxes’ eye she “found favor and kindness with him.” Though the king was not necessarily known for his kindness and this truly wasn’t a love story, this favor ultimately led Esther to become his queen.
However, when Haman tricks the king into a decree to destroy the Jews, Mordecai urges Esther to speak up for her people and herself.
He tells her, “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) Though Esther was afraid to go before the king unsummoned, which could cost her own life, she did what was right and fulfilled her purpose.
Divine purpose often uses ordinary people, just like you and me, to do extraordinary deeds. This means that the skills we have, the positions we hold and the presence we possess are intended for His plans and purpose. So, remember though you may experience some pain and persecution, use whatever platform you’ve been given to speak up for others. In the end you may realize that in doing so, you’ve actually saved yourself too and fulfilled your purpose and His divine plan.
