March 17: Bloom Where You are Planted

by Dr. Alicia Valasse-Polius 

Odsan SDA Church, St. Lucia  

Key Text: “…And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom  for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 

The period: 483BC – 473 BC 

The Place: Persia 

Central Human Protagonist: an orphaned Jewess  married to an unlikely king,  

in an unlikely place,  

in an unlikely time… 

Esther. 

This is the story of a Jewish community that settled in Susa after Babylonian exile. In this context, monotheism existed alongside the rudiments of Persian Dualism. There, a story of resilience and unwavering faith would emerge.  

 

Once, a king in the third year of his reign, hosted a feast. And what a feast it was. Men of varying stature were given expressed permission to “do according to every man’s pleasure” (Esther 1: 8).  And that they did …even the king. So brash was he in his bid to objectify women, he commanded his wife the queen, “to shew her beauty”. In an unprecedented move, the queen would boldly defy the misogynistic directive. This action would be the catalyst for a series of events that would undoubtedly prove that “prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse…” (White, 1892, pp. 94-95). 

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And so, it was, a decree was given: “let there be fair, young virgins sought for the king” (Esther 2:2). Under the guidance of Mordecai, an orphaned Jewess would enter this “beauty tournament” and meet with divine destiny. She would eventually “obtain grace and favour in the sight” of King Ahasuerus and become queen (Esther 2:17). But a man, hungry for reverence, would scheme. Fear would grip a nation and a queen “exceedingly grieved” would turn to prayer and fasting – ultimate weapons (Esther 4:4, 15-16). Under Godly influence, an unlikely individual would defy protocol to save a nation.  

 

Let’s be frank reader. Life can be tough. Like Esther, we can face circumstances that seem insurmountable but the wearing of God’s ultimate armour can break any demonic chain (Ephesians 6:13KJV).  

 

Just perhaps reader… your thoughts may be laden with “Whys”, “Hows” and “What ifs”. Why am I in this horrible work environment?  Why can’t God just clean up this church? Why am I being persecuted? Why am I in this hopeless place? What if I move to another church? What if I ask for a transfer? Why am I sick all the time? How will I survive this aura of disorganization? Just perhaps, you are in this physical or psychological state because the Lord knows the plans he has for you (Jeremiah 29:11).  

 

Perchance, you are in this horrible work environment to inspire renewed interest in work ethics. Perchance, God is teaching you how to “let go” and “let God” deal with his church in his timing.  Perchance, God has placed you in what you perceive to be a 

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“hopeless state” to be a beacon of hope. Perchance, God allows sickness to build your faith and give you a testimony that will win the suicidal teenager to God. Perchance, you are placed in Chaos to develop resilience and birth mentoring and leadership skills. Perchance, you are in this Remnant Church, at this time, for a moment such as this. 

 

God uses us in every circumstance; pleasant or uncomfortable. Our understanding of the divine plan may be limited but we must “trust in the Lord” and avoid leaning “on our own understanding”. In this state of dying to self-will, “he will direct our path” (Proverbs 3: 5-6).  

So grow, bloom, tell of the Love of Christ in every circumstance. You are there for “such a time as this”. 

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