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
Last month, I spent a couple of weeks studying the Book of Esther. I knew I would enjoy it and learn a lot, but I didn’t expect God would use it to speak to me. I shouldn’t have been surprised.
God uses what we know and where we are to speak to us.
The first seven weeks of this year were exhausting and discouraging for me—to the point that I was ready to give up writing.
How could I concentrate and focus on writing for God when other parts of my life seemed to be spinning out of control?
Maybe you’ve had similar thoughts…
Why bother?
I can’t do this anymore.
I don’t want to do this anymore.
In my heart, I knew I couldn’t give up writing, but my mind was listening to my body and to the enemy.
Physically, I was tired. Emotionally, I was completely fatigued.
And the enemy knew when and how to attack.
I was ready to give up.
And then God got my attention.
I heard from a friend who had visited my blog, and she let me know how something I had written touched her. And as we talked, I heard the “everything is fine” façade crack.
I realized I wasn’t the only one struggling with constant attacks from the enemy, emotional breakdowns, and feeling like the New Year was off to a rough start.
I felt humbled that God used me to reach her, but I knew that if it wasn’t me, He would use someone else. So, it didn’t matter if I quit or not.
And in His amazing way of making a point, He put me in the story of Esther.
If you don’t write, someone else will, and God will work through it, but what if He’s put you here for such a time as this?
God will accomplish His plans with or without me. But to think that He’s put me here, at this time, to be a part of it…I don’t want to miss that.
How about you? What is your Esther story?
Whether you realize it or not, God has put you where you are, right now, to be a part of His grand plan.
No one can do exactly what you do. God planned it that way.
He created each of us as different as our fingerprints. And He knows what you can do—not alone, but with and through Him.
If He’s called you for His purpose, you can expect that He’ll walk alongside of you.
Every step of the way.
For such a time as this.
This was great. My “everything is fine” facade has completely cracked. I feel I’ve been dealing with more than I can handle right now and I’m just trying to hold on. I don’t know what the plan is in all of this or how God will work everything out for good. I’m scared. I’m stressed. I’m trying to believe that everything will be okay. I really don’t know what my purpose is – maybe it’s to get stronger – stronger in my faith and stronger emotionally so that I can teach that to my children. But it’s definitely difficult for me and my family right now. Thank you for sharing this and for not ‘quitting’. I’m not going to quit either even though I’m tired and discouraged right now.
Hi Tiffany,
Lean into God during this time. Even in the moments you may not feel Him there, He is. He promises to never leave us. And our Lord always keeps His promises. Always.
Thank you for your kind words and for not quitting. I certainly don’t know how long this time will last for you, but God knows. And He will get you through it.
Blessings,
Laura
Laura, thank you for this! I just concluded a study of Esther at church this very morning and this post could not be more timely. One more way God put your in the story.
Missy, thank you for sharing this! We just never know how God will work…or when and how He will use us. God bless!
Thank you, Laura – such encouraging words! I really appreciated reading this today … “If you don’t write, someone else will, and God will work through it, but what if He’s put you here for such a time as this? … God will accomplish His plans with or without me. But to think that He’s put me here, at this time, to be a part of it…I don’t want to miss that.” Such good reminders, and some that I needed to read today.
Thank you Cherry. I was just over at your blog and touched by your words. Thank you for sharing the journey you are on.
In Christ,
Laura
I am so grateful to have stumbled upon your site. I don’t remember how exactly I got here. I believed I despite visited a top mom blog directory. All I know is that you are blessing to my life. Your words lift me up and just confirmed what God has been speaking to me about lately. I truly think that my one of my gifts is to encourage. So thank you for encouraging me. May the Lord bless you as you continue to bless others. To God be the Glory our Savior who is worthy of our praise.
Rebeca, Thank you for your kind words. It’s such a blessing that God will use us to encourage each other to do His work. Praise God!
God bless,
Laura
Thank you for this great sharing.It has just removed the veil off my face.I have been trying to plant flowers at church but keep postponing and I feel it in so many ways that God is asking me to do so. This has made me realize to be obedient and find time to do it.Otherwise God will use somebody else and I will live to regret I did not do it.
Stay blessed and thank for the encouragement.
Catherine
What a joy when we can see how God is involving us in His work! And what beautiful work to be involved with. I love fresh flowers. 🙂
Thank you for your comment Catherine! God bless!
Oh how I get this. Several weeks ago I was done writing too. I began to wonder how anyone would want to read my story, laced with messy paths and brokenness along the way. But I had to come to a place where I realized WHO I was writing for. And giving myself permission to not write, and to rest, has been huge for me! Keep on keepin on girl! You bless me so!