The Athlete's Challenge: Old Testament Heroesਨਮੂਨਾ

Devotional:

Ready:

"If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” -- Esther 4:14, CSB

Set:

The gym was packed with screaming fans. You could cut the tension with a knife. It was late in the fourth quarter and Luke had just come into the game—his first game as a varsity player. With time slowly ticking away, the ball was passed to him. He began to dribble toward the basket and...he bounced the ball off of his foot and out of bounds. I am so out of place, Luke thought. Why did Coach put me in the game?

With less than a minute left, Luke’s team got the ball back. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3—Luke picked up the ball and was fouled in the process. Now, he was going to the line for a bonus one-on-one. Eyeing the basket, he let the first shot go, and swish! Tie game. Luke had risked it all by picking up the loose ball, and now the game was his to win or lose. He took a deep breath and let the ball fly. It landed on the side of the rim and then gently slid in. His team had won the game!

In the Old Testament, when King Xerxes was looking for a queen, all the women in the land came to the palace. Esther, of Jewish descent, came as well, and she had the great honor of being chosen as queen. But Esther’s uncle Mordecai needed her help—there was a plan to rid the kingdom of all Jews. Esther knew that she had to speak to the King, but in those days to enter the King’s presence uninvited, was to risk death. So she rallied the people and leaned on the Lord for help. In the end, Esther realized that she was in the right place at the right time for her God and her people.

Sometimes, you may not understand God’s plan for your life. But like Esther, when you realize God’s purpose for your life, you will feel empowered. Taking a risk is easier when you know God is in control. Esther knew that she could lose her life by going to the King, but that her entire family would die if she did not. She made the right call.

Esther trusted that her God would provide, and He did. Feel out of place in your life? Find God and join Him there. There is always room at the right place and right time with God!

GO

1. Do you feel out of place at school, on the team, or at home?
2. Do you know what God’s purpose is for your life?
3. Are you willing to take a risk for God today?