“Father, where shall I work today?’
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then he pointed out a tiny spot
And said, ‘Tend that for me.’
I answered quickly, ‘Oh no, not that!
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done.
Not that little place for me.’
And the word he spoke, it was not stern;
He answered me tenderly:
‘Ah, little one, search that heart of thine;
Art thou working for them or for me?
‘Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee.”
—Meade MacGuire
To each of us is given the wonderful privilege and awesome responsibility to make a positive difference in the world. It may be with a small child or with an entire nation, but shine we must!
Consider the wonderful Old Testament story of Esther. Ahasuerus is seeking for a new queen. Mordecai presents Esther and she pleases the king and is chosen as queen. Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to bow to Haman, who then arranges a decree to kill all the Jews in the kingdom. Mordecai and the Jews mourn and fast because of the king’s decree. Mordecai tells Esther to go before the king to plead their cause. To do this, she would be putting her life at risk, since it was forbidden to go before the king. The penalty was death unless the king put forth his golden sceptre. Mordecai then says to her, “and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14) Esther determines to enter the presence of the king, even at the peril of her life. The king receives Esther and she later reveals Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews. Ahasuerus then reverses the decree calling for the destruction of the Jews. Consider the enormity of what she accomplished! Surely, Esther came into the kingdom for “such a time.” And in our sphere of influence, if we will listen and act, we will have the privilege and opportunity to be a great force for good to those within our circle of influence. Indeed, you have come “for such a time as this.” And there are things that you can accomplish that no one else can.
Neal A. Maxwell taught that, “though we live in a failing world, we have not been sent here to fail. Recall the new star that announced the birth at Bethlehem? It was in its precise orbit long before it so shone. We are likewise placed in human orbits to illuminate. Divine correlation functions not only in the cosmos but on this planet, too.”
If you and I are receptive and willing, we can be led to an exact place and purpose. Many times, qualified and prepared individuals have shown up in my life at the precise moment I needed them. And likewise, it has been humbling for me to be led to help others in their moment of need, with skills and abilities that the Lord has given me. He is perfectly aware of you and desires to bless and help you. And He desires to use you as an instrument in His hands to bless others. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28(italics added)
So let’s follow Christ’s perfect example and “be about our Father’s business!” And what is His business? To comfort, inspire, strengthen and bless each one of His children. May we become qualified instruments in His hands to assist in His great purpose!
