Such a time

petrichor
(n.) the scent of rain on a dry earth

May 22, 2017:

Esther 4:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 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?”

This week I have been thinking a lot about moments that have been given to me; moments such as; interacting with my kids, my wife, and even strangers that I encounter on my way to a specific destination. The encounter may have been brief, no words exchanged, just gestures of acknowledgment. Lately, I have been more aware of those encounters and challenged by a voice that asks the question, “what have you left them with?”. I must admit, too many times I have left them with a message of “you’re in my way, I have no time, life is hard, hope is scarce”, or worse I ignored them. At the time, I think nothing of it, but at the end of the day I see their face again, this time I notice the pain, hopelessness, and desperation. At that moment, I become aware of that missed opportunity that God was wanting to use me in. I hear his voice say to me, “that moment was given to you for a reason, that seemly insignificant fleeting encounter, carried spiritual significance, what did you do with it?”. He reminds me that our steps have been ordered or ordained by him, every moment has a purpose. Our call to this world is to exhale the hope of Christ to a broken world. Our call is to seize the moment that God has given us.

My Prayer:
I do not want to squander opportunities, that I may never have again. God make me more aware of your times and moments are for the purpose to exhale the hope of Christ to the world. Help me to not overlook the moments of encounter, with my children and wife. Help me to recognize, the times I am with them as a time that God is giving. Every word, every hug, every touch has spiritual significance. Help us all to stand as Queen Esther stood reminded by Mordecai, “you have come to this place, (home, store, street), for such a time (an intended moment of purpose) as this.