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I recently started experimenting with watercolor painting. Although acrylic has always been my preferred medium, I felt the need for a change and a new challenge. I eventually discovered a style that resonates with me. it's never too late to explore something different. Something new.
I recently started experimenting with watercolor painting. Although acrylic has always been my preferred medium, I felt the need for a change and a new challenge. I eventually discovered a style that resonates with me. it's never too late to explore something different. Something new.
"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
The story of Esther holds a special place within my heart. A young, beautiful girl, chosen by God, to be utilized in such an amazing way. (Much like the way He utilized Joseph with the Pharaoh, Daniel with Nebuchadnezzar, and John the Baptist with the Pharisees.) She had no reason to be the queen of Persia on a human level, but on a God level, it was required and pre-determined. If you don't know the story, let me briefly sum it up for you. Esther, born a Jew in exile, ended up winning the heart and favor of the king. Although an amazing opportunity, Esther had to hide her real identity and be served by those she once thought of as equals. Later in her story, God had a plan for her to provide a way of salvation to His people.
When a man named Haman, the villian, utilized his persuasive skills to convince the king to kill the Jews, Esther was encouraged to go before the King and reveal her true identity, a Jew. She was frightened, terrified, and wavering; however, much like the prophetic monkey from The Lion King, her uncle Mordecai informed her what would come to pass if she did not stand up for her people. Esther 4:14 states
"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?"
"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?"
After much fasting and prayer, Esther goes before the king and convinces him to reverse the plans made to destroy the Jews. Instead, the Jews were allowed to confiscate the property and possessions of any that chose to attack them. God used her to prevent the mass slaughter of his people all because she was right where God wanted her to be at such a time as this.
If you think about it, you are also put in this specific place for such a time as this. You may be a mother, a wife, a friend, a family member, a church-goer, or an employee. You also may be all of these things which is A LOT! God can use you right now for His purpose to bring glory to His kingdom and influence those around you to do the same. This very statement is what brought me to you! I am a woman who feels like she cannot do enough for those around me.
My kids always need more me.
My husband always needs more me.
My family needs more me.
My friends need more me.
My church needs more me.
Now this may sound egotistical, but that is not what I am trying to convey. What I am saying is I feel like I could and should do more for all of these people. It is what I feel is expected from me. I need to do more. I need to sacrifice more. However, I cannot be everything or everywhere on my own. I need more too. God is who I need. I need His Spirit to fill me up so that I can pour more out into others.
I need to be willing to do what He has called me to do in my "such a time as this." My time now is mother, wife, friend, family, church member, and beacon to the lost around me. I waste so much precious time sulking or being annoyed. How do I change this? How can you change this?
I know what you are thinking. This seems to be a pretty heavy expectation to put on yourself. Will it ever be enough? Will I or you ever do enough? The answer is no. Probably not. We will never be able to do enough or give enough or be enough. This is quite reassuring in its way. We are just right for our situation which means we give it our all through Christ. We can't do enough on our own. God put us right where we are to live for Him. We have something to offer this world, our family, our kids, our husband, and our church. Us. You. Me.
So stop wasting time. You are going to get annoyed. Acknowledge it, pray about it, and move on so you can too. You are going to have to clean up a mess at least two or three times a day. Acknowledge it, clean it, and enjoy life before the next mess. You are going to be tired. Notice it, rest for a bit, and then get back to it. Don't let your head or your body hold you back from your time which is right now.
Time is too precious. Life is too short. God gave us too much beauty to waste time squandering it in a bad mood. Try something new. Fail and fail again. Don't stop living so that you can clock in and clock out of the "normal." It is a choice. I encourage you my friend to choose wisely.
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