I've been thinking about the book of Esther from the Old Testament--the only book in the Bible where God is never explicitly mentioned. And yet, His hand, His providence is everywhere in this story of a beautiful Jewish girl who becomes a queen and ultimately saves the Jewish people living in Xerxes' kingdom from annihilation. Mordecai, Esther's cousin, sends word about the plot and she at first refuses to go to Xerxes, knowing it could mean immediate death for her. Mordecai sends this reply back to her, "Don't think that just because you live in the king's house you're the one Jew who will get out of this alive. If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this" Esther 4:13-14 from The Message.
Just such a time as this... I love this phrase and I've been thinking about it all day as I imagine our travellers. This is their "just such a time as this"--who they sit next to, who they smile at in the crowded airport, who they help lift a heavy bag, the orphan who falls in love with them--it is all for just such a time as this.
God has them in this time and place for His purposes; it is no accident, no coincidence--they are on this trip now for just such a time as this. Sleep well tonight, precious children--we love you.
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