Playing your part towards a successful life.... Do what you have to do

Good morning and welcome to a new week and trust we all are doing just fine.......

Stay blessed and be sure to learn a thing or two as you read through....

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Not everyone plays the part of the hero even in their own story… or maybe we do. In God’s kingdom, there are no small parts. Remember, Jesus declared, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Consider the life of a man named Mordecai. We read about him in the book of Esther. Though the story involves a king, Mordecai was not a king. Though it involves a wicked villain with close contact to the king, Mordecai was not this villain. You see, Mordecai played a supportive role, he played his part.

Mordecai lived in Persia though he was a Jew. He had a young cousin who was very beautiful and became one of King Xerxes many wives. As we read this short book in scripture, we see many devious plots swirling around and just outside all these plots, we find Mordecai. In Esther 2:21-22 we read, “During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.” Because Mordecai was in the right place at the right time, he saved the king’s life. Unfortunately, Mordecai was never rewarded for his act of service, nor was he even acknowledged.

Later, Mordecai learned of another death plot. This time, instead of the king, the target was his own people: the Jews. Immediately, Mordecai once again reported this news to his cousin, Queen Esther. Her response was less than heroic. Esther 4:11 says, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” Ever the faithful support role player, Mordecai gives his most influential speech of the entire book. Verse 13 tells us, “He sent back this answer: ‘Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 royal position for such a time as this?’” Oh how I love those famous words… for such a time as this.

The rest of the book of Esther tells of how Esther does approach the king and save the Jews from destruction. She is a heroine for her bravery in the face of fear and her trust in God’s protection. But Mordecai… always on the sidelines, always hearing of things to come and yet never being a part of them… Mordecai truly saved the day. It was his support and rebuke that strengthened Esther in her weakness. His words made all the difference.

Who knows, but maybe you have been placed in a time such as this for a reason. Who knows if the words of encouragement and even gentle rebuke that you give in love might just change the course of someone’s life? Who knows? God does. That is why He places so much important on service. We can’t all be the one in the spotlight, but the one in the forefront needs lots of support. God doesn’t need heroes. He needs servants. He needs people willing to do what is right even if they never get credit for it. In fact, He prefers ones who give Him the credit instead. Be like Mordecai. Be like you. God made you and placed you at exactly the right moment to be used in a time such as this.

STAY BLESSED