Author: Allison Powell
Published: September 26, 2005
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God works his will through what he wants done. “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.” Recently, God has allowed the upset of creation through tsunami’s, storms, hurricanes, and floods. The lives of people have been disturbed through death, destruction, loss, homelessness, and devastation. Additionally, the massive air play of media images depicting human suffering has distressed many human souls. God has allowed the ‘expected’ to become ‘un-expected’ to gain our attention. The Lord wants us to remember that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”
We don’t fully understand why it seems that the Lord has been upsetting the nature of things. The natural order in lives, with people, and in situations has CHANGED. Formerly, we were comfortable existing in “the predictable,” yet we can no longer be sure with each day that things will operate with normalcy; NOTHING stays the same. Systems that were formerly arranged, and coordinated with persons or things are no longer in it’s natural order.
How do we deal with this evolving change that is occurring within our world? We look to the biblical story of Esther for guidance to apply in our lives.
Esther and her uncle Mordecai were placed in King Xerxus’ castle to ‘upset the natural order of life’ within the palace. During an era when the Jewish people were enslaved - Esther, who secretly concealed her Jewish identity, was chosen as part of the King’s harem and became Queen at the misfortune of former Queen Vashti’s ousting. Mordecai, also Jewish, became an official within the King’s leadership circle.
Esther and Mordecai were chosen to operate in a position of influence. They had favor with King Xerxus, and they were given knowledge for that appointed time to help each other, and to help their people. Mordecai would gain knowledge of a plot against every Jew in the land. Esther would have the opportunity to gather the Jewish people for a three day fast and prayer. She would also have the King’s favor to approach him with requests that would change the presumed ill-fated circumstances of the Jewish people.
Many of us have been chosen in a career, or for a project to be THE unique person. Most importantly, consider that our position’s of privilege were opportunities granted with the Godly intention to upset the ‘natural order’ of the environment around us. Perhaps we were the first Black, Asian, Latin, woman, or youngest chosen for a position of influence. Maybe our talents were unique, and we were granted a position of influence with knowledge for an appointed, specified time. We were chosen not only to help improve ourselves; but to help other’s outside of our daily existence.
Consider that possibly the recent hurricane’s were the ‘divine orchestration and acts of God’ being used to purposely upset the natural order ones’ daily life. “Who can say that you have been elevated into your palace of despair, or place of privilege for just such a time as this?”
Is it an ubsurb thought to consider a palace of despair is a place of elevation? In many ways your natural existence of life has been upset, changed, a new reality now exists- - but you cannot keep quiet! This isn’t the time to give up running the race for Christ! Do not give up hope even when storms of life are raging for you. The ‘just nor the unjust’ are spared from suffering, hurt, and pain. We have little control on the severity of life’s tradgedies that affect each of us. Our life’s journey will hopefully teach each of us to rise above adversity, OVERCOME, and walk through the storms of life. Hence, a palace of despair is an opportunity for elevated ability to overcome ANYTHING. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, YET ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE through Christ Jesus.
Often, we cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So, again, consider what can one do to deal with the evolving change of ‘natural order’ in our current world?
First, Esther and Mordecai fasted and prayed with the People. Whether our position is one of despair or one of influence, we need to discover how to stay connected with other people in need. The resilience of the American spirit has resonated with the Gulf coast’s evacuee’s through various forms of support; many have connected with other people. Determine in your heart how you will stay connected to those whom you are called to help; not only in your daily existence; but outside of your familiar zone. Know, prayer is simply communion with God in conversation. Never underestimate the Godly prayer conversations’s power to comfort, and offer direction for your circumstances.
Secondly, Esther and Mordecai expected Miracles. We often forget that Miracles, small and great, still occur today! It was a MIRACLE when Mordecai discovered the plot against the Jewish people; he and Esther’s recognized their assignment. Their position’s in the palace put the two in the right place as Jewish advocates and decision-makers. Being in the proper place resulted in their abilities to initiate a plan before the death plot against the Jews was implemented. It was a MIRACLE for Queen Esther to have King Xerxus’favor to grant her wishes. Furthermore, the King promised that Esther’s desires would be met. Miracles in the bible were usually ‘signs,’ that is works of God that revealed Gods’ power and purposes. Miracles were never used to impress people or persuade people towards belief. Miracles are usually linked towards responding to faith, not creating faith. WHAT ARE YOUR MIRACLES FOR TODAY? Expect MIRACLE’s great and small in your life daily, as a response to your faith.
Through any time of change, God will offer providence. Providence is the divine manifestation of care or direction. Through many human mistakes in either knowledge or action, God will not allow the care or mis-care of his people go un-noticed. WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, ORIENTATION, GENDER, OR SITUATION. When the unexpected natural order is altered, God will perform miracles in response to our faith; offer care, and direction.
The story of Esther, Mordecai, and the Jewish people showed God’s divine care. As result of Queen Esther’s granted wish Jewish lives were saved; the death plot was reversed and the Jewish people were delivered. God provided opportunity for the Jewish people to annually celebrate the remembrance of the circumstances through a Purim “festival of feasting and gladness, by giving gifts to each other and to the poor. The Jewish people also gained relief from their enemies, their sorrow was turned into gladness, and their mourning into joy.”
During your prayer time, recognize the signs, and the times in which we live. When the natural order of things are being disturbed, REMEMBER:
1) Determine the assignment in your heart. How you will stay connected to those whom you are called to help in your daily existence and outside of your personal ‘familiar zone.’ Communicate with God through prayer conversations; 2) Expect MIRACLES- GREAT or SMALL, as a daily response to your faith; and 3) allow God’s provision of divine care for you and your circumstances.
For additional biblical reading you may read the story of Esther in the Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 1; and First Corinthians chapter 10 verse 26.
