Wednesday, October 27, 2010

For such a time as this

One of the most compelling evidences to me that the Bible is truth, is the people themselves that make up the stories. Have you ever really stopped to consider the characters whose lives are lived out on the thin pages of this book we call God's Word? We cannot make it out of Genesis before we have met more people than we can count that make really bad choices. And these are not small characters. I'm talking about major names: Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Moses, and so on and so on the stories go. Failure after failure, and disobedience after disobedience. You would think if the authors of the Bible were being untruthful, if they were attempting to tell a false story, that they would make themselves and the others around them look a little "better". Do you know what I mean? What good is it to make up falsehoods that paint such an unflattering portrait of ourselves?

I have been spending much of my bible study time these past few weeks around two such characters. One is Moses, and the other is Esther...and oh how I have grown to adore these two people. For now, I would like to throw out something that the Lord is pounding into my heart right now. So often when something starts weighing on my heart, I think of you, and how I want to share it here. And here's the point: God can use anybody He wants to fulfill His will on this planet. It doesn't matter their circumstances, their background, their family, their health, their financial situation, their past sin, their nationality, etc. His will, will be done. Period. Moses was born at a time when all male Hebrew babies were being murdered. Then Moses himself became a murder and was living as a fugitive when God called him to lead His people out of Egypt! I think that is kind of a big deal. I think Moses' past is relevant for us today. I think his background is significant to us understanding our purpose here today on this planet. And then there is sweet Esther. She was an orphan, a child with NO parents, was being raised by her male cousin, and then finds herself married to a king who also has hundreds of concubines and has just signed a death warrant for all of God's people...her circumstances were less than ideal. And yet both of these characters were used mightily by God. And I dare say that if we could have asked either one of them 5 minutes before their pivotal calling if they were in a position to be used for God's glory, they would have laughed at the mere suggestion. And yet God allowed Moses to fellowship intimately with Him and to guide His people, and He allowed Esther a role of radical importance in Hebrew history. God can use anybody!

So I will throw the question out, do you struggle with whether or not God can or ever will use you mightily for His kingdom, for His glory? Do you ever struggle with whether or not you blew your chance? That's the thing about sin, it has a way of hissing lies to us while we lie in bed at night. We try and rest in the Truth that we are forgiven, that He already paid the debt, but we sometimes feel as though we cannot escape the suffocating darkness of our past. And so we believe the lie. The lie that we are too damaged to be used, too screwed up to be straightened out, and too unworthy to ever wear white. But then enters Grace, and picks us up with two pierced hands and says "who knows, but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this" Esther 4:14.

What position do you find yourself in? Will you dare to believe that God may have you strategically placed right where He wants you? What lie might you be believing that is keeping you from humbly allowing God to use you? Our father desires to pick you up and walk you right into the light of your destiny, into your promise land, and eventually into His glory. You have been born into "such a time as this" to do great things in His mighty name. Get up on your two feet my friend, and get walking into your promised land that He prepared for you long before you breathed your first breath of life.

Amy

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't struggle so much with believing God can and will use me. My battle tends to be over whether or not I'm going to be willing to be used. My flesh gets in the way so often. I choose to do the wrong thing, instead of submitting my life to His plan. The fact is, He's going to use me no matter what. The choice I have to make is whether I'll be a willing or unwilling participant of His plan for my life. :)

Dawn said...

I am currently taking a women's Bible study called Your Strengths are Your Greatest Weaknesses and it is taught by author Nancy Cobb (she doesn't have a book out on it yet, but is teaching two classes on it as a precursor to her book). A couple weeks ago or so we did Moses and how he fell on his strength, but God used him in the end and TODAY we did Esther and how she almost fell, but instead was obedient to what God had for her to do. I am going to send your post to Nancy and I know it will really bless her! Thanks for the post!

Playing Sublimely said...

Thanks Dawn for writing me...love hearing of the connection!

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

I dare to believe it, Amy -- and it makes life SO exciting!

Jill said...

LOVE this post! They say that the beauty is in the flaw. I find it so fascinating the people that God chose to carry out his work. His choices have often left me perplexed or even (dare I say) annoyed. Then, when I think about God as our father and us as his children, it makes more sense. He loves us all and sees the beauty in us despite our flaws. Thank goodness!

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

I cant believe the title of the post...and the timing! And yet I can...so God! That's the verse that has struck me most in the study of Esther this fall. I am trying to let God strip me of all the layers of lies and unbelief so that I can reclaim my place "for such a time as this." God has made each of us for a purpose...and all for His glory! So exciting!

Such an encouraging post. Going back to re-read it!

Blessings,
Linsey

Nicole said...

Great post! I myself have been recently thinking on this very thing. I find myself being too hard on others who have done something that I consider a "really bad" sin; wondering sometimes if in spite of my imperfections God can use me... And then I think of our Bible examples. I can't help but think of David; a man, who committed adultery, murdered a man, disobeyed God...and yet, God calls him a "man after His own heart." Wow! I think that the important thing is how we deal with sin and if we are truly repentant. It truly is a blessing to be reminded that I DO serve the same God of the Bible; and He DOES have a purpose for my life. Thanks again for the encouraging post!

Between You and Me said...

love this truth.

this post is a good reminder in the midst of a struggling week.

Crystal @ Ordinary Days said...

I love the whole phrase "For such a time is this". It so much meaning and impact. To think...of all the time in history, God placed me on this earth at this time. Wow.

Unknown said...

you are invited to follow my blog

Danielle said...

Love this! I think that God chooses us to do things that we are completely incapable of so that His power can be revealed through us, for His glory's sake...our only job is to believe and obey....during such a time as this! I struggle thinking that what I do has any sort of great impact, and then I am reminded...we love Moses and Esther because they are amazing examples of God's power, sovereignty and strength! It isn't about them, or me...it is about Him and His purpose...I am so glad He allows us to live in such a time as this...and has made us for such a time as this! Thanks for sharing...and stopping by!....and I totally like you too!!!!

Post a Comment