This is Such a Time!

Esther 4:13-14 -“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” NKJV

Today’s updates on the coronavirus are showing signs of decrease in China and increase in the United States, and everything in between around the world. In the natural, this virus is bringing the world to a solemn state of affairs. But there is good news! God saw this day afar off and made provision through Jesus!

In 1918-19, the world experienced a similar pandemic. According to the CDC website: “…efforts worldwide were limited to non-pharmaceutical-interventions such as isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants, and limitations of public gatherings, which were applied unevenly.” One hundred years later, with all the technological advances, we are still using the same methods? Go figure!

Mordecai and the Jewish people were facing a genecide of epic proportions and he needed the queen, his niece, to help with a solution. He asked her for help and she told him that it could cost her life to go to the king. Mordecai responded with the above verse, I’ll paraphrase: “Don’t think that you won’t be found out and killed also. This thing will affect us all. But if you don’t say or do anything, then God will just have to use someone else to deliver us. But have you even stopped to consider that God placed you in the palace for such a time as this?”

Where are you today? Are you in a business, a hospital, a university, a community, a church, or a government facility? ( I think most everything else is closed!) Are those around you antsy, wondering what will happen to them, to their families, to the world as we know it? Are they getting scared, worried, concerned about their finances or their eternity? Well, that’s okay, because you have the answer to the question! It was for such a time as this, that you were placed where you are! And since you know Jesus, your responsibility is to share the love of God and the gospel to those around you!

This is your time to let your light shine! To do what you have been getting equipped to do during all of those Bible studies and Sunday morning worship services! Shine! If someone is worried about their future, offer them Jesus, pray with them. If they are concerned about having enough provision, let them know that they will be alright! He still multiplies fish!

Sticking our heads in the sand and acting like nothing is going on, or worrying about ourselves (like Esther did at first) is not helping anything or anyone. We are in this earth to be a light set upon a hill. A candle on a candlestick. And we must be willing to hear the facts about what is going on and to share what God’s word has to say on the matter! No hiding allowed! And the beautiful thing is, you can do it with social distancing! It worked one hundred years ago and we are counting on it to help us now! Don’t over spiritualize this and feel that because you are a Christian or believe in healing, you are exempt from social distancing.

Maybe you can go and get groceries for someone who is in quarantine for the virus, you don’t have to stay and visit. Do a shop and drop, it’ll go a long way in sharing His love. Maybe someone has been infected that you know, you can tell them that you’ll call and check on them and pray for them, you’re available! Maybe someone just need to share what’s going on in their life, what’s on their heart, offer to listen, then give them God’s counsel! Whatever those in your sphere of influence need, know that you are placed there for such a time as this! Remembering that you also help as you adhere to the things we are being asked to do: washing our hands, sanitizing our areas and the things we use, staying at home! It’s not a lack of faith, it’s a blessing to not be a carrier of the disease or to be exposed to it!!! So if you don’t know, please keep your distance!

Daily, we’re checking on each, encouraging each other to keep the faith! To trust God with all the uncertainties. Don’t be flaky, or act superior, or like a religious nut, just be the best caring, praying, loving you, you can be for His Glory! And don’t get offended when people want to give you an air bump or just a wave. This is your opportunity to be an Esther in someone’s life. You can do it!!

I am going to begin looking at the miracles of Jesus! I love reading and talking about them. Come along with me in the days to come (I just found out my time home has increased!) while I begin to focus on the Miracle Worker and His works! Too much attention to what the devil is stirring up isn’t good for any of us and if I am going to look at the virus on a regular basis, then I have to look at the One who is greater than the virus just as much! Wonderful Jesus!