This summer I had the privilege of having a friend of mine back in my life once again. Although we communicated with each other here and there over the years it was more than 20 years since we saw each other face to face. It is a wonderful thing when friends reconnect. It’s good to remember the good times and bad times over the years that we had. There were many experiences we shared but also in absence life went on and we spent a good amount of time reminiscing as well as catching up on what we missed since the last time we were together. It is a great thing.

A pastor friend of mine reminded me that in the bible everything is in God’s control and that includes the events of your life. Everything has a purpose in God’s plan for His children. Because we live a daily life and deal with small things and big things we can often attribute the happenings to random chance. When we read and understand the bible, we see that God controls it all. Nothing is out of His power and all things work together for those that love Him.

One scripture that reminds me of the power of purpose comes from the book of Esther. She was an amazing and wonderful person from what we read in her story. Everything in her life led her to be queen of Persia under the most unusual circumstances. All of those circumstances served God’s purpose for His chosen people. Mordecai, Esther’s Cousin and father figure served the King himself but noted something very powerful about where she was in her life. She had the task of approaching the king about an attempt by one of the men in charge under him to kill all the Jewish people. If she did not fulfil this task they would all be killed. In reassurance Mordecai showed her it was all part of God’s plan:

 Esther 4:12-14

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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?”

Mordecai showed her that deliverance could have come from anywhere under God but He chose her to be the person He would deliver His people through. She had a purpose and was to fulfill that purpose.

While our tasks in life may not be as important or powerful they still are situations and tasks that serve God. This also includes those actions of the non-believer as well. There is nothing out of His hand in the world. No matter how small it seems.

Remember this when even at times you do not know what you are doing or why things happen in your life. Some answers are only learned when we see Him face to face for the first time.

In Christ,

Stephan M. Koenig

Lakeshore Fellowship