Have you ever felt like you were in a rut with nothing really to show for your efforts? Do you ever wonder “what’s next”? I understand. I think we have all been there. You think that you are doing all those things you should be doing… you follow the rules… you comply… you stay within the limits. Yet, it is hard to imagine how your best efforts are making sense or helping anyone.

I am a believer that nothing happens by accident. I think that things have a way of working out in a way we cannot understand or comprehend. Sure, things occur every day that we don’t plan, wouldn’t plan, and can’t control. Yet, when you look at the big picture, things seem to work out in the end.

There is a story in the Bible about a young immigrant named Esther that becomes Queen through a series of unexpected events. Finally, she is posed with a choice to confront her husband, the King, and risk her life or say nothing and allow her countrymen to be destroyed. Her mentor says to her at one point (paraphrased from the book of Esther 4:14):

“Perhaps it was for a moment like this for which you were created.”

She decides to confront the King and save her people, as a result.

I think there are several things we can learn from this that apply to us at whatever station in our career or life we find ourselves today:

1. Each of us is unique – We have been equipped with a set of education, background, experience, and ideas like no one else on earth. No one else has the same talents, abilities, and heart that you have. It is that unique combination that defines you that makes you uniquely prepared for your own “big moment.” What is it today that you need to do? Is there a decision you need to make? Has your life intersected with something no one but you can do? What is it that you have been created to do at this exact point in your career or life?
2. Our destiny or purpose may be defined by a single decision we make in life – Think about some of the great individuals in history. Many of them are remembered by a single event or decision they made. Despite many other contributions to early American history, Eli Whitney is singly known for inventing the cotton gin. John Wilkes Booth is known for assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Albert Einstein is known for his theory of relativity, despite numerous contributions to science. And, just like them, our life may be remembered for one decision we make. We could be remembered for a kindness shown to someone else. We may be remembered for mentoring a co-worker that eventually makes a significant contribution. We might change a life because of an act of service to someone else. We must be aware that we can have a significant impact on others. Don’t forget the story about the boy and the starfish… he walked the beach throwing as many starfish back into the sea as he could. Someone told him that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t change the fact that most would dry out and die on the beach as the tide subsided. He responded, “I know I can’t change the world for all the starfish, but I can for a few.” We have that same power within us to make a difference for those individuals around us.
3. We need to anticipate that single event in our life that could define us – We need to be ready for our “big moment.” That moment could come any day in any interaction with another. We need to begin each day asking ourselves, “Could this be the day? Am I ready if it is? Can I do what needs to be done when it happens?”
4. When we view our life in this way, it can help keep us focused and on task – When we live our lives in anticipation of our “big moment”, it can help keeps us out of that rut that plagues so many. When we think that our ultimate purpose could come at any time, it can help keep us attuned to what is occurring around us and what issues impact those individuals in our lives.

Possibly, we will learn today the ultimate purpose for which we were created. Perhaps the circumstances we now face are merely preparation for our “big moment.” Maybe, the challenges in our lives are simply the training we needed to prepare us for that moment in time that will eventually define our lives. Today could be the day! Are you ready to make a difference?

Have a great day! This could be the one!