Thursday, November 30, 2006
As a general rule, I don't do hospitals. Oh, I visit other people in hospitals, but I don't stay in them. God has blessed me with wonderful health over the years. But there was the time I had such an intense bout with the flu that I ended up badly dehydrated. The doctor was concerned enough about me that he put me in the hospital for a short time, actually, to get me re-hydrated with intravenous fluids. Now I've got to tell you, I was not a happy camper when they told me they were going to admit me to the hospital. Oh, I was nice on the outside, but inside I was going "Rrrrrr." That was until my sister-in-law reminded me of something that she said I had told her once or twice. (I hate it when my own words come back to haunt me.) She said, "Remember who you are and remember why you're here."
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Who You Are and Why You're There."
Actually, God gave me a tremendous opportunity to sow some Gospel seed in the hospital staff while I was there; the hospital I "no way" wanted to be in. But as I finally woke up to the fact that I had been assigned there by God, I began to take advantage of opportunities to show and tell about the love of Jesus. One nurse wanted a copy of all my books. She said, "You know, it's really been good having you here. Just think of all the influence you've had on all us heathen." I said, "No, Betty - not heathen. People God loved so much that He sent His Son to die for you."
What helped me see what was really going on in my undesirable situation was that challenge from my sister-in-law, which was (whether she knew it or not) actually the Mordecai Challenge. Maybe you're a candidate for the Mordecai Challenge where you are right now. In our word for today from the Word of God in Esther 4:14, we find a Jewish young woman named Esther providentially placed in the position of being Queen of Persia. No one knows she's Jewish, and she's in this great position - which her cousin Mordecai is asking her to totally lay on the line.
In a palace plot, Esther's people - God's people - have been targeted for annihilation. Only Esther is in a position to get to the king and plead for the lives of the Jews. But the law called for anyone who went unbidden into the throne room of the king to be put to death. And Esther hasn't heard from the king for a month. Now here is the Mordecai Challenge in Esther 4:14, "Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Or, "Remember who you are. Remember why you're there." Esther realizes she has been placed where she is to save lives, and she risks hers to rescue them. And her people live because of it. Right now, God may be saying to you about your situation - where you work, where you go to school, the sport you're in, the neighborhood you're in, the jam you're in, "You have been put in this position for such a time as this. Use that position to tell people about My Son."
I guess in a sense, we are all Esther. God has placed us where we are in order to save some lives there; lives that Jesus died for. And God has put those people within your reach so you can rescue them. How are you doing on the reason you're there?
Remember who you are - Christ's personal ambassador to the people around you - and don't forget why you're there: to help some of those people around you be in heaven with you forever.