Two of the greatest moments in our lives are the moment we are born and the moment we realize why we were born. You have had the first moment if you are reading this today. Have you had the second moment?
Esther was born in Persia during the time of Israel’s exile. She was chosen by the emperor to be his wife. After she entered the palace, an evil man named Haman plotted to kill all of the Jews. Esther’s relative Mordecai asked her to intervene with the emperor. Knowing the customs of the royal court, she was not sure she could approach her husband about this matter.
Her reluctance led to Mordecai’s amazing appeal, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” In other words, Esther, none of us are safe. But maybe God put you in the palace for this purpose. Esther took Mordecai’s words to heart, and intervened with Ahasuerus. Through her courageous choice, God delivered his people.
Our lives are complex, to be sure. But at some point in our lives, we will have the opportunity to stand up for what is right. At that moment, God will give us the knowledge and strength to fulfill our purpose. In John Irving‘s book, A Prayer for Owen Meany, the title character suffers from severe handicaps. Still, he believes God made him for a special purpose. When the time came, using his unique skill set, he saved the lives of many children in a bus accident. He was born and he discovered why he was born. Have we?
