Tough times and dark days. That’s what we’re living in… the times are tough, the days are dark, and everywhere, evil abounds. Yes, this present age is trying, turbulent, and troubled for sure. I’ve heard people use the term “uncertain” too, but I think that’s wrong… There are many passages in the Bible that foretell what is to come. And those days are now. Just a quick glance at Matthew 24:4-14 confirms that:

 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Recently, as I was hearing of yet another sad, tragic story, I felt the familiar pang of righteous anger rising up in me (yes, it’s okay to be angry about the evil that is running rampant in the world), but it was followed by a Bible verse that surprised me. It was from the book of Esther. 

I began thinking of the story of Esther, and how God used her, an unlikely Jewish orphan girl, raising her up to be a queen, to save His people. Esther was young and beautiful, and must have had a pleasing personality, as she found favor from those around her. But she was also unassuming, a regular girl, seemingly filled with self-doubts and uncertainty. Yet she was obedient to the direction of her uncle and spiritual mentor, and God used her in a mighty way. Despite her doubts, fears, and insecurities.

“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

When I thought about this verse, I realized how true it is today. Consider this: We are here, now, for a reason. God placed us in this challenging, intense, and terror-filled time, specifically because He has a plan and a purpose for us, right now. And He created us with the gifts, talents, and passions that we need to fulfill His purpose in our life.

So what is the purpose God has for us? Simply put, we are to point the way to Jesus to a lost and dying world. We are to be a light shining in the darkness. I believe that in today’s world, the light of God inside us will shine brighter, because the world has grown darker.

While there are many nice, or easy, ways to shine His light (loving people, being a good friend, visiting shut-ins, working at a food pantry, etc), the time has come to step it up, and move to another level.

Now is the time to speak the truth, to be a witness… We need to be bold with our words, because the time for subtlety and ambiguity has passed. No more just showing the character of Jesus with our Christian friends, but with the world too. This is the information age, and we have the ability to influence others in a way never before in history. Social media has enabled us to expand our circle of influence, to be missionaries even <GASP!>, without leaving our homes. (Of course this must be done in a non-Pharisaical way.)

Today, I think many of us are like Esther… unlikely for being a world changer. But that is precisely what we are, and why God chose us. He doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called. We too, may be insecure and doubtful, but if we trust God, and are willing, He will embolden us to stand up, stand out, and speak out, proclaiming His goodness, mercy, grace, love, and righteousness. Yes, righteousness. It’s not all about the warm & fuzzy stuff… it’s the hard stuff too. And it’s being willing to proclaim the state of the world because we’ve taken God out of it, it’s not being afraid to call evil what it is…evil! It’s accepting the possibility of being mocked, marginalized, mistreated, or even martyred for doing so.

We don’t have to be polished and eloquent to speak up for God, just willing. We don’t need to have a theology degree, but we better know the Word if we are to speak His Word. We don’t have to look like we just stepped out of a fashion magazine to be a voice in the wilderness. We don’t have to be perfect, or sinless either… in fact, we won’t be. But we do have to be on God’s side, and have him living inside of us.

Yes, the days are certain,  but so is the outcome… God wins. That means we (those who choose to follow Jesus) win too. Yes, we might experience tribulation, torment, ridicule, and even unfathomable evil, but in the end, we win. That is the comfort, that is the hope. That is what we need to share to this lost and dying world. And for that purpose, we have been placed here, for such a time as this.