The story of Esther is one of divine providence. She was being raised by her relative Mordecai, who was in Susa due to the Babylonian exile of the Jews, because she had no living parents. They likely died when the exile took place. The short story is that she became queen to King Ahasuerus but he didn’t know she was a Jew. When Mordecai became aware of a plot by Haman to kill the Jews, he secretly devised a plan with Esther.
Esther was scared to tell the king but Mordecai was quick to call her out on it and reminded her of her purpose. He said, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). We know the rest of the story, and Esther saved the Jews through her courage and faithfulness.
A lot of us struggle, like Esther did, to understand our purpose. Was it a coincidence that she became queen? Was she really the one to save the Jews? And on the questions and doubt come. Paul makes it crystal clear in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God’s “handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Yet often, like Esther, we hesitate. Mordecai was also put there for a purpose, to remind Esther that she was put in her position by God “for such a time as this.” We need both Modecais and Esthers in this life. When you struggle with finding your purpose, find a Mordecai who will help you see it. When you see it, live it to the best of your ability.