For Such A Time As This

Great post, Heather! In today's culture, Queen Vashti would have been seen as King Xerxes' trophy Queen. It would be interesting to know why she refused the King’s order to appear at the banquet . . . A headache? Simply did not want to be put on display . . . again? As you said, that’s a whole ‘nother post.


Two things from the book of Esther.

First, the name Esther and the phrase . . . "for such a time as this” . . . are linked together forever in my memory.  “For such a time as this” = God’s plan and purpose for my life. Is it a onetime only “such a time as this” in my lifetime? Or will God’s plan and purpose FOR my life provide several “such a time as this” . . . ?

Second, the King asked Esther at the first banquet she gave for the King and Haman . . . “Now tell me what you REALLY want (emphasis added) . . .” That jumped off the page at me!  I’m not comparing King Xerxes to God, but has God ever said to you, “Now, tell me what you really want.” Do we dare ask God for what we really want? If not, why not?

Hello, this is God speaking . . .

This is your “for such a time as this” . . . if you choose to accept it . . .

And, by the way . . . tell me what you really want!

A Queen Without Purpose Is No Queen At All

The book of Esther is looking like the first-ever episode of Trading Spouses -- minus a husband, add a king.  The spouse switch-a-roo plays Queen Vashti versus Orphan Esther.  One girl had a husband, a sparklin' palace, all kinds of house help and just about anything her little manicured finger could wag at.  The other girl had no parents, no husband and lived with her uncle in some part of the palace complex. 

But one thing Queen Vashti lacked .... Purpose.  Godly purpose.

The absence of Godly purpose meant for Queen Vashti that when summoned by the king to his party, she refused.  And was banished.

Godly purpose meant for Orphan-turned-Queen Esther that when inviting herself, unsummoned 30 days later to the king's presence, she risked death.  And was saved.

Putting on some Godly purpose every morning seems much like putting my contact lens onto my weakened eyes.  Without it, all i can see is myself; the rest of the world looks blurry and gives me a headache or makes me trip.  With it, i can see beyond myself so clearly; the world looks beautiful and detailed and makes me want to be involved.

Too bad Queen Vashti couldn't see beyond herself when King Xerxes summoned her to his party, his reason for doing so being a whole 'nother blog post, haha!  Queen Esther was also of very beautiful countenance, but she allowed how God had designed her to have an eternal purpose.

So King Xerxes traded in one spouse for another.  One who had Godly purpose and could touch a nation.

A new song by Steven Curtis Chapman says "Do every little thing that you do to the glory of the One Who made you... to tell the story of grace... "

Whether you're "picking up blocks... cheerios" or putting together a merger or "cookin' up burgers... Little stuff or big stuff, God sees it all the same... whatever you do, it matters."

Whatever we've been blessed with, ladies, let's ask God to show us His eternal purpose in it!  It will bring success and blessing to our lives, as well as to the lives of those around us.  For now and for eternity. 

I know i'll do my best to try that the next time i'm scooping stray toys off the living room floor or changing a diaper... how can this be to God's glory and tell the story of grace?  Wow, in diaper-world, that could be a challenge, but in every little thing that i do do, i'm gonna wipe away my doubts and see what God has planned for this next generation growing up under my roof.

What's the thing you do?