Living the life of Ester: embracing your God-given purpose. Have you ever wondered if you’re where you’re meant to be? The story of Esther offers profound insight into how God orchestrates our lives to fulfill His purposes. In Esther 4:12-14, Mordecai’s words remind us of our divine placement: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Even when we don’t realize it, we are precisely where God wants us to be.
Esther 4:12-14, “When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house, you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.” – Billy Graham.
God’s Plan for You
The story of Esther is a testament to God’s intricate and long-term planning. From the exile of the Jews under Nebuchadnezzar to Esther’s adoption by Mordecai, from Queen Vashti’s fall to Esther’s rise in King Xerxes’ court, every event was part of God’s plan to save His people. Esther’s position wasn’t an accident; it was divinely orchestrated.
Mordecai’s message also serves as a challenge: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.” This underscores two key truths: you are where God wants you, and if you don’t act, He will use someone else to accomplish His will.
You Are Where God Wants You
Don’t spend too much time questioning your placement. You’re where God wants you to be. Look around and recognize the opportunities in front of you. Your mission field begins when you wake up and lasts until you close your eyes at night. It may not be your ultimate calling, but it is your purpose for today.
“Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” – Jim Elliot
Like Esther, your journey may include trials and uncertainty. She likely didn’t view her exile or the loss of her parents as blessings. Serving a gentile King in a foreign land was far from ideal. Yet, God used these experiences to prepare her for a pivotal moment.
Your circumstances may not seem significant, but they are part of God’s plan. Trust that God is guiding you even if the task is daunting or unclear. Esther faced a life-threatening decision to save her people. Most of us won’t face such stakes, but we are called to act in faith daily—whether speaking to someone about our beliefs, volunteering, or simply being a light in someone’s life.
If You Don’t Seize the Opportunity, God Will Use Someone Else
God’s plan is unstoppable. The question is, will you be part of it? If you don’t act, someone else will step into the role meant for you.
Luke 19:26, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But even what little they have will be taken away from those who do nothing.”
Taking small steps in obedience prepares us for more incredible things. God doesn’t need us to fulfill His plan, but He invites us to join Him to share in His joy. As the lyrics from Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” express, “I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time.” That’s how God feels about you. He has pursued you from the beginning of time to position you for a life of purpose and joy.
Live Fully in Today’s Mission Field
Luke 19:26, “To those who use well what they are given, even more, will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”
Luke reminds us that we are responsible for what God puts before us. Our daily actions matter. Whether it’s a conversation with a neighbor, a gesture of kindness to a coworker, or volunteering at a local ministry, each step of obedience brings us closer to God’s purpose for our lives.
One conversation at an IMED conference resonates deeply. A participant asked how to discern if someone attending their training was the “right” person and if they would succeed. The answer was simple: God had planned it from the beginning. Our job is to pray, work diligently, and trust the results to Him.
Today, commit to living intentionally in the mission field where God has placed you. Don’t wait for tomorrow to act. Speak to the person God places in your path. Seize the moment before it passes and someone else experiences the joy God intended for you.