Articles
Can You See Your Opportunities?
And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. –Esther 2:16-17
The beauty and grace of Esther was a God-given blessing. He had blessed her to the extent that she was given the opportunity to live as a queen in midst of captivity. While her countrymen worked as slaves, she ate from the king’s table and was clothed with royalty. Certainly Esther considered the events to be God’s providence.
It is common for individuals today to recognize God’s providence as well. A person is given a promotion or a better job and they recognize God’s hand in the blessing. When a family is unable to have children and an adoption becomes available, they understand God has had a part in their family. Recognizing God’s providence is often the easy part. Understanding His providence is sometimes more difficult.
God blessed Esther with grace and beauty. While that blessing secured her a better life, it also carried great obligations. Her uncle Mordecai understood this fact: Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Est. 4:13–14). Esther wasn’t given a great opportunity and a position of prominence just to have a great life. She was given those blessings in order to accomplish God’s plan.
Often God gives providence on earth is His way of putting us in the right position to work His plan. Job promotions can often give opportunity to teach God’s plan to other people. Location changes provide the opportunity to work with struggling churches that need encouragement. Even an adoption can provide the opportunity to teach a new child or perhaps even family about God. Blessings that often serve as the focus of thanksgiving should be carefully considered. They often carry great responsibility.
Like Esther, Nehemiah was given great privilege in captivity. The cupbearer of a king enjoyed a pampered life compared to other servants. He would travel with the king, eat with the king, and have other benefits as well. Nehemiah could have enjoyed his life by simply serving the king as a cupbearer. But his position granted him the opportunity to work God’s plan concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. No one had the access to make the request Nehemiah said. And no one had the relationship to have that request granted like Nehemiah (Neh. 2:1–7).
It is important to view all physical blessings as possible opportunities to serve God. Be thankful for His blessings. But carefully survey the arrangement and look for opportunities to do His will. It will surprise you how often God blesses His children to place them in the perfect opportunities to carry out His plan.
