The story of Esther teaches us two important truths:

1) You need mentors to guide you. Because she was willing to listen to Mordecai, Esther discovered that her calling wasn’t just to be a queen but a deliverer of her people. So, who's your Mordecai? Who knows you well enough to confirm and clarify your calling in life? Who loves you enough to challenge you when you get off track, or strengthen and encourage you when you want to give up and run? Where we have blind spots, we need people with clear vision to speak into our lives. Joshua listened to Moses. Timothy listened to Paul. Ruth listened to Naomi. Who are you listening to?

2) You need to know you’re in the place God wants you to be. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, challenged her and changed her life by saying, ‘Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?’ Esther didn’t set out to be queen. But once she was, she had to decide between her comfort and her calling. It’s a choice we must all make too. Your particular calling might involve your job, your relationship with family, your hobbies, and your friendships. It might involve the area where you live, or you might need to go further afield. But this is certain: when God calls you, it’s your cue to get moving. You might be tempted to think you’re just treading water right now, waiting for some other time or more important opportunity. But you don’t get to choose your time; God does that! The psalmist said, ‘My times are in thy hand’ (Psalm 31:15 KJV).

What Now?

Talk to God about where you are right now, and check that it’s where He wants you to be at the moment. If it isn’t, start the process of moving towards His plan. If it is, ask Him for the patience and endurance to stay there until He says it’s time to move on.