And certainly, if He didn't make a mistake in your formation, He didn't make a mistake in the timing of your presence. As Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us, there is perfect timing for everything.
At fourteen, I declared I was born into the wrong decade. I noted that if I had a choice, I would probably live in society before iPhones, iPads, and Macbook Airs existed. Not because I don't find them beneficial (I do), but because I long to live in a world not obsessed with screens mere inches from their faces.
It's a sad reality when you go to a mall, and all you see are people glued to portable glass devices. Even in mid-conversation with others, they don't make eye contact with something other than the virtual portal within the palm of their hand. Shopping clerks offer advice, but they are too busy to notice. Individuals run into strangers because they can't pay attention to where they are going.
Sometimes I wonder, "Was I really born and created for such a time as this?" And as I look around, I question. Are these the people I'm meant to witness to about Jesus? Are these my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? What is my role in this faltering, self-obsessed, "me, me, me," and "I, I, I" society?
Facing History Then
I can't help but wonder if Esther found herself asking a similar yet different question.
After favoring the king and becoming queen, Esther is faced with a predicament: Will she keep her position as queen, or will she expose her identity and risk her life to save the Jewish people?
Esther beholds a secret. She is Jewish, but the King and court are unaware of this family heritage. When Haman is promoted by the king, however, disaster strikes. Refusing to bow to Haman, Esther's Uncle, Mordecai, faces turmoil. Haman has now persuaded the King "to kill and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women, and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods" (Esther 3:13b, ESV).
Again, I ask the question: "Were you born for such a time as this?"
And I wonder if Esther had this question before Mordecai presented it.
Facing History Now
If given a choice, if put in this circumstance, or given a similar predicament, would you question your purpose?
Would you question what you've been put on this earth to do?
Would you question where you are, who you are, and what in the world you're doing?
Would you question if you could face the challenge? Live up to the expectation? Risk your life? Face the persecution? Deal with the rough job? Handle the challenging client? Love hateful people? Stand up to the king?
I know I would. And I know I constantly have. But in Mordecai's challenge, he makes one thing clear to Esther:
"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. 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?" (Esther 4:13-14, ESV).
This predicament may be difficult. It will involve sacrifice. But perhaps it's what you were created to do.
And I can't help but ask myself if it's what we've been created to do, too.
You Were Born for This Time
Today, we may not be conquering kingdoms or standing up to powerful kings. Some, but not all of us, will face life-or-death situations where we must make a choice. But we will all certainly have challenges of our own. And it's my prayer that we will respond as Esther did when her faith was pitted against her world:
"Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him" (Esther 4:15-17, ESV).
Embrace Your Time
Friend, you were born for this time. This exact moment, situation, circumstance, and challenge. And though the walk may grow weary and your head heavy, I want to encourage you with this: God didn't make a mistake when He created you in your mother's womb.
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well" (Psalm 139:14, KJV).
He didn't make a mistake when he planned your entrance into this world. He didn't make an error when he took a man's sperm and joined it perfectly with a woman's egg to form your very embryo. He made no flaw when he formed your birthdate and saw you take your first breath into this world.
And certainly, if He didn't make a mistake in your formation, He didn't make a mistake in the timing of your presence. As Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us, there is perfect timing for everything. The good and bad. The ugly and the beautiful. Every mundane moment in between and far and near.
Let the words of this verse wash over you today:
"Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. There is a time for birth and death, planting and reaping, for killing and healing, destroying and building, for crying and laughing, weeping and dancing, for throwing stones and gathering stones, embracing and parting. There is a time for finding and losing, keeping and giving, for tearing and sewing, listening and speaking. There is also a time for love and hate, for war and peace. Life isn't always fair, so live wisely" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, CEV).
Everything on earth has its own time and season. Why would we think our existence would be any different? You were created for such a divine purpose, dear friend. And our good God has great plans for you.
The next time you're tempted to think you were created for a different life, be mindful that God put you where you are, when you are, on purpose. He makes no flaw. He makes no mistake.
And you were born for even such a time as this.
"When Mordecai was told what Esther had said, he sent back this reply, “Don't think that you will escape being killed with the rest of the Jews, just because you live in the king's palace. If you don't speak up now, we will somehow get help, but you and your family will be killed. It could be that you were made queen for a time like this!” Esther sent a message to Mordecai, saying, “Bring together all the Jews in Susa and tell them to go without eating for my sake! Don't eat or drink for three days and nights. My servant girls and I will do the same. Then I will go in to see the king, even if it means I must die.” Mordecai did everything Esther told him to do" (Esther 4:12-17, CEV).
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Aaron Amat
