For such a time as this 🕒

We cannot control the trials of life, but we can control our responses. Queen Esther was living the life of luxury, but her people were about to be wiped out by the king’s decree. She took a life-or-death risk and stood up for them. The challenging words of her uncle Mordecai have echoed through time: "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?" (Esther 4:14, NIV)

We are all going through a challenging time because of COVID. Last year in the spring, I don’t believe any of us were prepared for this pandemic’s emotional, physical, or financial consequences. I’d never seen or experienced this level of chaos before last year. I live in Las Vegas. It’s a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week city known for entertainment, great meals, and shows.

Our family has been here 29 years, and last year especially, we saw a level of crisis that was unprecedented. In 2017, our city had experienced a mass shooting. Fifty-eight people were murdered and over 500 wounded, but it didn’t seem to cripple us the way this pandemic did. Our city leaders, police, ministers, first responders, and many more had joined together to help, grieve, and rebuild. But this COVID trial was different. We were and still are told to social distance, sanitize our hands, and avoid groups of people.

James, the brother of Jesus, tells us how to handle trials like these: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3, NIV)

This past year has been hard, but I’ve learned a few lessons on this unexpected journey:

1. We must guide our emotions. Make every situation turn to joy.
2. A clear destination is pivotal. Our destination needs to be wholeness, where we lack nothing. We achieve our destination through endurance. Do you have a clear destination for your career and life?

We should seek wisdom. “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4, NIV) God will give you wisdom so that you can grow through the difficulties of this pandemic.

With God’s help, you will mature through it all. You’ll be an inspiration to your friends and family. It all starts with a choice. You may not feel prepared for these trials, but God has prepared you for such a time as this because you are a miracle.

Your friend, Paul Marc Goulet

P.S. The texts of this reading come from the daily email A Miracle Every Day. If you want to receive an email every day, I invite you to subscribe to A Miracle Every Day. By subscribing, you will receive an e-book!