Last weekend, I went to a women’s retreat themed “Forgiven and Fabulous.” Of course, I’m shy, so I brought along my best friend from college. There is so much that I got out of it that I can’t possibly address everything in a single post, so right now, I’m just going to write about the last message from guest speaker, Jody Johnston.
Jody Johnston is the author of Legacy of a Woman’s Heart: How Will You Be Remembered. I bought the book but haven’t read it yet. In her book, she profiles seven biblical women and includes stories of modern-day women with similar stories. Of course, as I’m reading it, I will write about my reactions and how it impacts me. If you want to read a description of the book, click here.
We read about Esther (Chapters 1 through 4 in the book of Esther, in the Old Testament of the Bible.) It was no accident that Esther was chosen to be queen – she was part of God’s bigger plan. Mordecai (the relative who raised her as his daughter) had forbidden her to reveal her background, so the king did not know she was a Jew. When Mordecai found out about the order from Haman (one of the king’s advisors) to destroy the Jews, he asked Esther to talk to the king.
At first, Esther told Mordecai she couldn’t help because she could be put to death for approaching the king uninvited. Mordecai responded that if she didn’t, Jews would die and even she wouldn’t be safe. Esther did end up asking the king to spare her people – which he did. The king even honored Mordecai for previously saving his life by uncovering an assassination plot, and ordered Haman to be hung. God seems to have an appreciation for irony, because Haman was hung on gallows which he had constructed for Mordecai’s death.
The message from Esther’s story is that God has a plan for us. We each have at least one gift and should use this gift to fulfill God’s plan – just as Esther fulfilled God’s plan by courageously approaching the king with the request to save her people even though it could have cost her life. Ms. Johnston told us that we may be scared and not feel qualified when God calls on us, but He makes us qualified.
How do you know what “gift(s)” God has given you? How do you know when you are called upon by God?
These two questions have been swirling in my mind ever since this lesson. Is writing my gift? I don’t know. If it is, am I doing what God expects me to do? I don’t know that, either. I wonder if I’ve missed a sign and ended up somewhere south of His plan. (I picture God with His head resting in His hand muttering, “no, no, no, NO!”)
Then again, I wonder if it’s possible that there isn’t anything to know yet. Maybe I’m still on the bench waiting to be called into action. Perhaps it’s not my time to discover my gift or my calling.
My computer hasn’t self-destructed, so until then, I will continue writing. You know, just in case it does happen to be my gift.
Have you discovered your gift or your calling? If so, how did you know?
JannaTWrites 