For Such a Time as This

Read

Mark 14:8, “She did what she could. She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for my burial.”Esther 4:14, “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?”

Think

In a baking competition, timing is key. Contestants mix all the ingredients with care and, once the bread or cake is in the oven, they monitor it closely. If taken out of the oven too soon, it might be runny and inedible. If it bakes too long, it can turn into a hard brick. When the finished product comes out of the oven, all eyes are on the judges as the contestants anxiously await the outcome: Did they get the TIMING right?In today’s reading, two women each had a very different, but incredible, opportunity to take action and glorify the Lord. Mary could have hesitated in giving Jesus her best — but she didn’t. She gave expediently, understanding it was time to anoint the Lord. Despite the high cost, she didn't hesitate to give her likely most valuable possession as an expression of her love and reverence for the Lord.Another woman in Scripture, Esther, risked her life to speak to the king on behalf of her people, the Jews, who were facing annihilation. She immediately fasted and prayed — asking others to join her — and then she took action! She was willing to spare her life for others and remain obedient to God.These two remarkable women had perfect timing. Mary anointed the Savior right before the Last Supper. Esther’s expedience saved God’s people. Their actions are important to note because one day we’ll stand before the Lord to not only give account for what we did, but also what we didn’t do with what we had.How’s your timing? Are you ready to take action when the time is right? Consider the idea that God has placed YOU, right where you are, for such a time as this. What is He asking of you today?

Act

Pray that God will put someone on your heart to reach out to. Then, set a timer for fifteen minutes and make it a goal to follow through in obedience before the timer goes off!

Pray

Lord, You have blessed me in so many ways. Thank You for the people who, through their obedience, have touched my life at just the right time. Open my heart today and guide my steps. Give me the strength to go forward in faith and follow-through, for Your glory! Amen.