"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?" ~Esther 4:14
This verse is the response Mordecai gave Esther when she explained to him that the punishment for appearing before the king without being summoned was death. The only way she could live to see the next hour, was if the king were to hold out his golden scepter to her. That was when Mordecai explained to her that she could have been placed in that position at just that time for a purpose... the purpose of saving the Jews from complete annihilation.
Thoughts...
Can you imagine the courage it took to do something like that? What would have happened if she didn't do what God had called her to do? All the Jews (including herself) would have been killed.
I have been thinking a lot about having the courage to step out of your comfort zone. Do Hard Things by Brett and Alex Harris has a whole chapter on it titled, "That First Scary Step" (I mentioned this a couple posts back). Here are some things I highlighted:
"If we take that first scary step despite feeling uncomfortable, afraid, or inadequate, our comfort zones expand. We grow in strength and skill. What we consider normal changes, sometimes radically."
"Outside my comfort zone, I learned to lean on God for strength instead of leaning on the small pleasures of this world for comfort. Outside my comfort zone, I found that I could serve God more fully and use all of my talents unreservedly for Him."
"Until we make that first step in spite of our fears, none of us will ever truly be able to do hard things."
"The First Step is always the hardest"
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an unknown God."
It is usually so hard to step out in courage and faith to do something out of your comfort zone. No matter what it is, big or small, it can still be difficult. Believe me, I know. It took me I don't know how long before I would step out of my comfort zone and sing for just one single person! lol! I am thinking that that would classify as a very small comfort zone step (In other words, it was in reality a small insignificant thing). Regardless to that, it wasn't easy at all.
The truth is, even small steps out of your comfort zone may lead to something much, much bigger. You may not even realize it at the time, but God may use one small thing you do for Him and turn it into something greater than you ever imagined! However, if you never make that first step... that one small step, you may miss something incredible that God has planned for your life.
This is something I have to remember a lot because I have a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone at times.
Thoughts...
Can you imagine the courage it took to do something like that? What would have happened if she didn't do what God had called her to do? All the Jews (including herself) would have been killed.
I have been thinking a lot about having the courage to step out of your comfort zone. Do Hard Things by Brett and Alex Harris has a whole chapter on it titled, "That First Scary Step" (I mentioned this a couple posts back). Here are some things I highlighted:
"If we take that first scary step despite feeling uncomfortable, afraid, or inadequate, our comfort zones expand. We grow in strength and skill. What we consider normal changes, sometimes radically."
"Outside my comfort zone, I learned to lean on God for strength instead of leaning on the small pleasures of this world for comfort. Outside my comfort zone, I found that I could serve God more fully and use all of my talents unreservedly for Him."
"Until we make that first step in spite of our fears, none of us will ever truly be able to do hard things."
"The First Step is always the hardest"
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an unknown God."
It is usually so hard to step out in courage and faith to do something out of your comfort zone. No matter what it is, big or small, it can still be difficult. Believe me, I know. It took me I don't know how long before I would step out of my comfort zone and sing for just one single person! lol! I am thinking that that would classify as a very small comfort zone step (In other words, it was in reality a small insignificant thing). Regardless to that, it wasn't easy at all.
The truth is, even small steps out of your comfort zone may lead to something much, much bigger. You may not even realize it at the time, but God may use one small thing you do for Him and turn it into something greater than you ever imagined! However, if you never make that first step... that one small step, you may miss something incredible that God has planned for your life.
This is something I have to remember a lot because I have a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone at times.
One more thing...
Below is my paper on Esther. If you read it, please tell me what you think! :)
For Such a Time as This...
At the time I knew not why. I also knew not how. However, there was one thing I did know - that my life would never be the same again. I was placed in a position I never imagined I would have. Little did I know, God had chosen me to occupy that position at just the right time for a purpose. Yes, He chose me, Esther, just an ordinary girl, to save the lives of many people... Read more
~Zoe
