for such a time as this

Yes! It really is me writing a blog post. I'm coming out of the fog of post-adoption, and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated by the Lord. So, what better thing to do than try to finish up some blogging about our time in Ukraine and the adoption of our wonderful new son?!

 

Andrew is doing great, and I can't wait to tell you more about this special boy, but first, I'd like to share some things that God has been showing me over the past few days.

 

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It was Sunday morning and I was praying for our church body. As I prayed, the Lord kept bringing to mind the story of Esther.

 

Esther was a simple Jewish woman, who miraculously became queen. While she was queen, it came to her attention that a plot was being formed against the Jewish people, which would mean certain death for all of them. She therefore had a choice to make. She could keep her identity secret, or she could risk her own life for the sake of her people. Her cousin, Mordecai, explained, "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

 

For such a time as this.

 

The same could be said of each one of us: we were born for such a time as this. God formed you and He formed me at the very hour that our presence was needed most in this world. He chose us for this world, and the timing of that choice was not irrelevant. We may never need to make a decision that could mean the obliteration or salvation of a whole race of people, but we still have decisions to make. Ultimately (for both Esther and for us) the decision is whether or not we will choose to bring glory to the name of our precious God, no matter the cost.

 

On that particular morning, I knew that the decision, though not so obviously life-altering as Queen Esther's, was just as important. I was getting ready for worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Would I choose to worship him with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength? Would I truly give myself, in a sacrifice of praise? That was choice that was set before me. It was simple, really. I was on this earth at this time and in this place for a reason, and that reason was to glorify my Creator God.

 

When I arrived at church a brother shared this scripture:

 

"As he approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen: ^'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!' But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples.'  He answered, 'I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out!'" Luke 19:37-40

 

Friends, my heart was pierced...the very stones would cry out!!!

 

Not only did my precious Father share with me intimately about the purpose of my life that morning, but He let me know that if I did not choose that purpose, He would have to ask the stones to take my place. Oh God in Heaven, may it never be so! Don't let the stones take my place!

 

I want to be a worshiper.

I want to give God glory.

I want to fulfill my purpose in this time and in this place.

 

I was born for such a time as this.

And dear ones, you were born for such a time, as well.