Featured Scripture and Commentary
Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Are you a queen or king? Do your actions hold influence over a large portion of the population? Are you pivotal in your community? Do 1000s of people show up to hear you sing? Etc… Or are you, by the world’s standards, a zero of influence, nobody special, living in a small or large town? Then how can you, in the life you find yourself living relate to a line of scripture that famously says,”thou art come to the Kingdom for such a time as this”?
You can still lead a dignified life, set an example for the ones who love and perhaps depend on you and keep your heart centered in the Lord. All the rest of it which may seem large and beyond our reach is simply temporal in the world. How many are there who have true influence in this world or who’s name will live and be remembered in future generations? Even if their name is remembered after they are gone… they are gone. Perhaps you are making the mistake of conflating or confusing the value the world puts upon you with the value that God holds in you.
Especially true if you are a woman. Now times are different for women these days. In Esther’s day women were simply not important. Notice that Mary, the first to find the tomb of Jesus empty and to be told “He had risen” was questioned as a witness not just because she seemed to the disciples like a “hysterical woman” making outrageous claims but also because in her time women were not even allowed in court as witnesses. Their observations were discounted. These days women lead companies, investment firms, countries, everything. Still there is an organization for women called “Know Your Value”. It is notable that the Equal Rights Amendment ever passed in the 1970s and is still waiting on Congress to pass it. But let me say that people are not possessing of rights or privileges because of a group or sector of society that they belong to but because of what they themselves contribute. That all being said, I, who have not much and have done less at this point in my life, know one thing for sure. In God’s estimation and should be in ours, the value we have in the world is really only two things that rise above all worldly contribution and influence:
How well do you know the Word of God? and
How well do you represent that knowledge in your daily life?
How well do you spread that understanding to others – family, community (including within your church) and outward to more people but mainly God wants to know if you are trusting Him and obeying Him.
What If You Feel Invisible And Insignificant?
Ruth gleaned in a field. No throne. No decree. Just daily faithfulness. God used her to bring forth Christ. Mary was a handsmaid in place that had not contributed much to the world. Your ordinary obedience matters.
Zeb’s lyrics to sum it all up (from his song “Lord, Here I Am”)
Lord Here I Am
first thing in the morning/when I’m still in bed/first thought that always comes/softly into my head/put my hand on my heart/still my mind/and I listen to your voice/so serene and sublime/One thing I ask of thee/at the start of every day/how can I lend a hand/what part shall I play?/Where should I go?/what should I do?/what should I say and to whom? Lord here I am”
See your life as your mission, see yourself as an instrument.
You don’t need a crown to have a calling. Just a willing heart.
CORROBORATING SCRIPTURE
Matthew 6:33, Colossians 3:23–24, Ruth 2:2–3, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Proverbs 16:9, Psalm 127:1–2, James 2:14-17
Matthew 6:25–34 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on… But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Colossians 3:23–24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Ruth 2:2–3 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace… And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
Psalm 127:1–2 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
James 2:14–17 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Matthew 10:29–31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
PRAYER FOR WHOMSOEVERS
Lord, help me see my daily life through Your eyes. When I feel small, remind me: You placed me here for such a time as this. Give me courage to speak, faith to trust, love to serve. Teach me how to live the righteous life. Lead me in ways that are in your favor. Help me make a difference to You in the world by being always a faithful servant. Reorder my priorities to reflect all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
