For Such a Time as This

By Cathy Irvin
Staff Writer

CBN.com - Ever wonder why it is so important not to waste time? I sat at my desk the other day during my break thinking about how much of my time I really waste.

It's not that I am idle for any length of time. I work 40 hours a week and sometimes more. I attend church , take care of my home, and spend time with my family and friends.

I can remember those moments I could have seized to really make a contribution to society and perhaps come to anothers' aid. I realized the most productive thing I have gotten involved in only takes five hours a week of my time.

There is a precious family at my church that I help by watching their very ill, little girl in the nursery. I come away so rewarded those two nights a month.

When I think of true ministry, I think of those moments when the little girl laughs as we play ball, or when she sits and holds a graham cracker in both hands. She is adorable, and has to wear a surgical mask (to keep germs away) because she has an Immune disease, among other problems. When she wants me to hold her, that is when my face lights up.

I just saw the new movie, “One Night With The King.” In it, Esther was told "you were born for such a time as this." I am glad I have this moment in time to make a difference where God has placed me too.

I just finished taking a spiritual gifts test at my church and although I took it many years ago, I see some changes. Could that be a sign of some spiritual maturity? I certainly hope so!

I am a teacher of the Word and that came in very strong on the test. I love when I get to teach in my Bible class on Sunday mornings as an assistant. Second to that, I love how my desire to pray for children who are ill has manifested itself in my work with this special child. I can say: Lord for such a time as this, thank you for calling me aside.

"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 royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, NIV)

Although my ministry to bless a child may not be on as grand a scale as Queen Esther’s, it certainly is an opportunity to make a difference, and that is what we all must do as Christians. We all have a gift to share .... maybe it is a smile, a hug, a song, or a story to tell.

I found that being an encourager is a wonderful gift for a mother whose child is very ill. Whether you hand someone you know a $5 bill or offer to go to the pre-school children’s class to do story time, you too can make a difference. Ask the Lord to show you where the need is or how you can use your gift. What is your passion?

We all are pieces of a puzzle in the body of Christ and working together we make a whole. It will make a whole lot of difference if our part is missing. This is the way we stay fulfilled and connected in service to the Lord.

You could bake cookies for the next meeting in your Bible class you attend or have a recipe swap at your home for a ladies night with some friends. Then, you could have a short time of prayer and before you know it, a circle of friends has just been birthed. Consider inviting the neighbor’s next time. This is the gift of hospitality and evangelism.

You don't necessarily have to be a part of the five-fold ministry. The five-fold ministry refers to Ephesians 4:11 and mentions apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers given by Christ for the equipping of the saints for serving and building up the body of Christ. A well-equipped church will function fully in all these ministries.

There are those behind the scenes that are just as important. It is the ministry of Service and Helps, and it is vital in a church. When I am helping this little girl in the nursery, I am just a helping hand extended to serve the body of Christ. So many ministries are birthed out of ideas and if you just take a moment, that one moment in time ... God will show you just what your hidden talents and gifts are to serve Him and serve others. You were called for such a time as this!

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