For Such a Time as This...

I'm reading a book by Karen Hughes called, "Ten Minutes from Normal." (Kind of sounds like where we all are, doesn't it?) Karen was advisor and spokespersons for President Bush during his first administration, and was also with him for six years while he was governor of Texas. She and two other persons ran his 2000 presidential campaign. A few years ago, she gave up access to the most powerful office in the free world to return to family life in Texas.

The title of her book came from a time on the campaign trail with the team was on the train making its way across America. The conductor came through and said, "Ten minutes from Normal, ten minutes from Normal." He was referring to a small town they were approaching. Karen said, "That's the way I feel most of the time and if I ever write a book, that will be the title!"

Karen is an amazingly gifted communicator and strategist, and had personal and unlimited access to the President of the United States. She is also a strong and faith-filled Christian. All through the book, she gives examples of how her faith and the faith of her "boss" came into play throughout the Bush administration.

In particular she shared her feelings during the tumultuous days surrounding 9/11. When the planes hit, the first thing Karen did was to go to her knees to ask for comfort for the families and children of lost loved ones. The next few hours were spent discerning what had happened, what to do next, how to orchestrate the next steps for the President...

Through it all, Karen was reminded of the story in Esther when Mordechai begged her to go to the king to ask for mercy for the Jews--even at the possibility of losing her own life. Because of how well she knew President Bush, Karen couldn't help thinking of her "boss" when Mordecai said to Esther, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Karen believed that President Bush had the strength, resolve, character and faith to keep the country safe and to respond appropriately.

Have you ever felt that you were in the position to encourage someone who was sent "for such as time as this"? Have you ever felt that YOU were sent "for such a time as this"?

How do we equip ourselves to stand up for the godly way over the foolish or evil way? How do we keep ourselves strong so that our reactions in time of crisis show that we are rooted and grounded in Christ, and we don't revert to wordly verbal assaults?

I would challenge us to look for those times when we might say to ourselves or someone else, "who knows but that you have come...for such a time as this." Look for times where you can intercede, where you can make a positive difference, where you can defend the weak, where you can turn defeat into victory and a negative environment into celebration.

I pray that there will be many "for such a time as this" opportunities for you and for those around you who need your encouragement.

Who knows?