Gò0dNews for Everyone
Such A Time As This
I
by Kristen West
grew up in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan,
you have come to your royal position for such a time as
where Christmases are always white and it’s not
this” (Esther 4:13-14).
uncommon to be bundled up in hoodies and fleece
blankets to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. You might be able to imagine then what a shift it was
I can imagine her thinking, “God, is this really where you want me?” However, Esther and her inner circle of attendants
when this Northern gal moved to Georgia and needed to
determined to fast and pray for three days and sent word
acclimate to the thick humidity and sweltering heat!
asking Mordecai and as many Jews as he could rally to do
After settling into my Southern home years ago, I used to wonder if God really got the GPS coordinates right.
the same. The story ends marvelously, with the Jewish people
Is this really where He wanted me to be?
being saved and Esther and Mordecai being
I’m certain it’s a question Esther asked herself more
honored.
than a few times, as well.
It’s a beautiful and clear example of
The Old Testament story tells us
what occurs when each of us recognizes
that, having been chosen
and embraces the fact that
as the new queen to
we have been positioned
King Ahasuerus, Esther
precisely where we
settled into a life of
are for “such a time as
royalty, supporting her
this.” Wherever you are
husband as he reigned
reading this today, I
over “127 provinces
can assure you that the
from India to Cush”
same truth applies to
(Esther 1:1)…
your life.
…until a sinister
God doesn’t
plot from within the
make mistakes, do
ranks of the king’s
things haphazardly,
court surfaced: a
or choreograph
plot to annihilate and completely wipe out every Jewish
things on a whim. He intentionally and strategically places
man, woman, and child from the territories (Esther 3:8-10).
each of us exactly where we need to be to have the most
Esther was of Jewish ethnicity and, up to this point, had kept that piece of herself a secret from the king. Mordecai
influence for His Kingdom, His glory, and our good. To this day, I love and miss the cold climate and the
(Esther’s older cousin who had raised her) spoke a message
frequent snows, but I am eternally grateful to know in my
to her that challenged everything about her new comforts
heart that my Father has placed me right where I am for such
and station in life.
a time as this!
“Don’t think that you will escape the fate of all the silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place…who knows, perhaps
8 // April 2021
About The Author
Jews because you are in the king’s palace. If you keep
Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.
