"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
-Esther 4:14b
This year has been full of experiences and changes that I never would have imagined. I don't want to talk about all of those experiences here, I'll save those for my New Year's Testimony. I've lived in the state of Maryland for my entire life. I've never left Maryland with the exception of vacations and conferences. I definitely never lived anywhere outside of Maryland for more than a couple weeks. In Maryland I've enjoyed to company of my family and many friends. I could never imagine living anywhere else. Being with cherished family members and friends, driving down familiar roads day after day, and going to a church that I love were such precious times that I enjoyed.
In September 2016, everything changed. I left my hometown of Maryland to travel to Texas, the state of big things, apparently. My heart was filled with a mix of anxiety, anticipation and excitement. When I finally arrived, it just felt like another vacation. However, after a couple weeks passed, the harsh reality of what was happening hit me. I had to wash my clothes, clean my floors, buy toilet paper- all things I never really had to worry about before. The more time passed, the more I finally began to accept that this is now my life.
Before I get to dramatic, let me just say that I am not writing this to draw sympathy. I chose to live here in Dallas. I knew what was coming, but there was one thing I couldn't expect. The third Sunday I was in Texas I attended a Bible Study with some UBF members. We studied the book of Esther, focusing on chapter four.
The book of Esther describes a Jewish girl who hides her identity as a Jew to become the queen of a power nation. While Esther is queen, the Jews are put in danger of a massive execution. Mordecai, who raised Esther as his own daughter, pleads with her to help the Jews. He reminds her that she herself is a Jew, and thus has a responsibility to act on their behalf. In his plea, Mordecai says something has stuck with me for weeks. "Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
As we were studying the passage, Stephen, the Bible study leader, recounted the recent events in Dallas. Stephen and his family arrived in Dallas three years ago. Jonathan and his wife arrived in Texas a couple months ago. Brian, Jonathan's bible student, also came to Dallas a couple months ago. Finally, I came to Dallas in September. None of us had ever planned to meet each other- not even Brian and Jonathan. And yet, God has brought all of us here.
When I thought about how we all came here to Dallas only recently, the same question that Mordecai asked Esther burned in my mind. Who knows that we have come to Dallas for such a time this? Esther had no idea what was in store for her life when she became queen. When Mordecai approaches her with his plea for help, she is given a choice. Either she can agree and help the Jews, or she can keep silent and continue living a comfortable life as a queen. Oh, I forgot to mention one thing. If Esther agreed to help the Jewish people, it could very well cost her life.
I can't help but believe that God has placed me here in Texas for a reason. Who know but that I have come here for such a time as this? Like Esther, I am given a choice. Either I can accept God's calling and obey Him, or I can keep silent and continue living a comfortable life as a working adult. I know that obeying God won't be easy. It could cost me my pride, position, money, time, or even my life.
I don't know what God wants from me here in Dallas. Yet I do know that as in Esther's time, people are awaiting an inevitable destruction if no one comes to save them. When Esther responded to Mordecai's plea, she saved the many Jewish people. God placed her in her position at a perfect time. Who knows but that God placed me here for such a time as this? I know that if I obey God's call, He is mighty to save. I cannot save an entire race of people, but God can.
So what about you? Who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this? Are you going to let God's power pass over you? Obeying God's call is never easy. In fact, it is costly. However, obeying God's call is the best decision we can make in our lives. If you're like me, the thought of leaving a comfortable life is scary. I don't feel as if I can do anything meaningful for God. However, I refuse to believe that I am here at this time for no reason. Who knows but that I have come here for such a time as this? Who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this? Who knows?
-Smart
