Just about everyone knows that process of applying for a new job. First, you fill out and return all important paperwork. Then you wait ever so patiently for a telephone call in which the purpose is to set up an interview with you. After you are interviewed, and the employer makes the decision whether or not they would like to add you to the team. One of the important factors that the employer considers, along with your interview, is you availability. Can you work nights and weekends? Can you work on holidays? Or, do you have ANY availability at all? Are you going to be able to focus when on the job; or are you going to be distracted? All of these are questions that potential employers must ask themselves about you when you interview for the job. The fact of the matter is that they have an end goal in mind, and if your qualities and availability will keep them from accomplishing what needs to be accomplished, you will not be hired for the job.
Esther was a young woman that definitely made herself available so that God could work through her. Esther was a Jew whose beauty had drawn that attention of King Xerxes. King Xerxes was ignorant of Esther's nationality, and that is the way Esther was instructed by her uncle Mordecai to keep it. One day Mordecai was outside of the King's gates and overheard two men plotting to kill the king. He communicated this disturbing news to Queen Esther who immediately told King Xerxes. After this, King Xerxes decided to promote Haman, one of his nobles, to the position of the highest noble. Outside of the king's gates, everyone knelt down to show honor to Haman, but Mordecai refused. Because it had been exposed that Mordecai was a Jew, Haman issued a decree stating that all Jews in Xerxes' kingdom would be killed. Haman continued on his quest to rid the kingdom of Jews because of his deep hated for Mordecai's rebellion. Queen Esther was the final factor in this story. She was the one who went before the king, having to expose herself and her nationality in order to save all of the Jewish people in the kingdom.
This irony in this story is that Esther lasted as long as she did living in the King's quarters before having to expose herself. By the time she had to expose her nationality, the King had so much favor for her, that it was not an issue to him.
Esther could have easily said no to Mordecai's plea to help the Jews. She could have said no because her exposing the truth about herself was a risk to her very own life. Had King Xerxes not favored her so, she would have surely been put to death. Esther was available for the task that God had placed in front of her, and she began to see her purpose for being in the King's quarters. You may be in a nice position right now for kingdom building purposes only. Esther's task was far from simple and clear. Esther probably did a lot of thinking and decision making throughout this process because every step was crucial to the survival of her people.
Can you imagine God giving you a task of that magnitude? Well, my friend, He has. Whatever task God is calling you to do, it is about kingdom building and saving lost souls. You can be a life saver. The methods and materials that we use to accomplish this task may not be similar, but we are all life savers. Our goal as Christians is to spread the word of God through our actions and words. Are you available for God’s work?
My pastor often says, "What God has for you it is for you." I agree with him, but I would like to add that we must be available for what God has for us. God will not impose or force His will or His way onto us. Imagine what He sees looking down from Heaven. He can choose anyone else that is ready, willing, and available to get His tasks accomplished. We must realize that it is a privilege to serve the Lord. We are an elite group of people. Many times, we act as if God's work is more of a burden than a blessing. (That is probably because we are working outside of our purpose, but that is for another day.)
When God has a task for us, He wants us to be available to focus on what He is going to put in front of us. If we are too burdened and bogged down or to tired and tore up by the pressures of life, God will take His task to the next person who is available and accepting of His task. And, not only will they get our assignment, but they will also get our blessing for accomplishing it!
Spiritual Reflections
1. Am I available for and accepting of ANY assignment that God will send my way? If not, what is blocking my servant attitude?2. What is it that I am assigned to at this time in my life? Am I accomplishing what God wants me to?
3. If you don't know what your assignment is right now, pray and ask God what it is. Are you ready to accept it? If not, ask God what is blocking you and ask Him to help you remove it.
Esther's entire story can be found and read in the book of Esther.
My friends, we have kingdom building work to do. Won't you accept your assignment today?
