Opportunity in Crisis

Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: Esther 4:15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king, wearing royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a mantle of fine linen and purple, while the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.

Observation: It must have been quite a day when Mordecai left the king’s palace in royal robes. And to think that, had the king not had distressing dreams that led to the revelation of Mordecai’s saving work, Mordecai would have been hung on the gallows long before dinner.

Application: My mind has been led in a lot of different directions in response to this passage. But now it’s time to focus.

It has been said: “crisis” is “opportunity riding the wind.” Put another way, some of the best ministry in life happens on the edges—on the edge of our energy, on the edge of our connections, on the edge of our ability, on the edge of our reach, on the edge of our training or influence or whatever. When we somehow think we can’t do one more cotton-pickin’ thing, right then and there we often encounter a sense of the holy—even if it is in our admission that we can’t take another step without some form of divine help and/or perspective.

And there is no hiding. Esther’s position in the palace could not insulate her from the impending disaster that forced her to take a life-or-death personal risk. Centuries later, we are all the better for it.

So it is with us. There is no place or position of real safety, but there is always opportunity. Opportunity to grow, to deepen, to further consider, to expand, to be courageous, to be graceful, to be humbled, to inspire, to really live, and, in faith—when the time comes—to die.

It’s not all pleasant, but it’s all good.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the perspective, faith, and example of Esther and Mordecai. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Esther 3-8, Luke 18)