A Time Like This

During some periods of time when the world seems particularly chaotic, I make myself turn off the news. Spring 2020 is a great example. I deleted social media from my phone and stopped scrolling through article after article of politically polarized perspectives of world events. The natural disasters, the pandemic, the divisiveness it was just too much. Our world is broken. But God is sovereign. He is the orchestrator of our lives, and He continues to orchestrate the redemption of His people. And He has put each of us here, in this unique time in history, for a purpose. Think of Esther, the Jewish woman who became queen of Persia. Not long after the king chose her to be his queen, the king’s official, Haman, plotted to kill all the Jews (not knowing Esther was one). In one of my favorite Bible verses, Esther’s cousin Mordecai told her, “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). After asking God’s people to pray, Esther risked a lot by going before the king to ask him to reverse Haman’s terrible decree. Although God’s name isn’t in this story, we see Him working through Esther. With His strength, Esther courageously talked to the king, saving her people. Sometimes we can feel like God is absent. When we turn on the news and see nothing but tragedy, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But God has not forgotten His promises. He is committed to redeeming our world, no matter how bad it gets. And God is never absent from us—He sent His Son, Emmanuel (God with us), to go to the cross for our sins and defeat death. God is present among us in His Word and His people (through the Holy Spirit, who lives inside Christians). God has brought us to our individual communities and schools and workplaces for such a time as this. And God is here with us now, calling us to trust His guidance as we serve the way Jesus served us, through the power of the Holy Spirit. • Becca Wierwille • How have you seen God work in your life in ways specific to this unique time and place in history? • Ask God to show you how you can join in what He is doing in a time like this. “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 but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV)