Sometimes when I think that I want to live a purposeful life for the Lord I think that I have to be doing something wonderful every single day. Not only is this probably not possible but it also puts a lot of pressure on myself and most people don’t work very well under pressure.
However, there is much beauty in the little, every day moments—the ones that could be missed when I’m recounting my life. I can make it my goal to live a quiet life, minding my own business and working with my hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Being faithful in the little things is what much of life is all about. Encouraging a co-worker or neighbor. Being cheerful to the grocery clerk that might be in the middle of a double shift. Making dinner for my family. Praying when I hear of a need. All of these things can seem mundane and not very purposeful. Nevertheless, they really are what life is all about on most days.
I practice those little moments on a daily basis and read my bible regularly and then maybe, just maybe, I’ll be prepared for the for-such-a-time as this moments in life when they happen. These moments happen infrequently but make great testimonies. Esther was made queen at just the right time to play a part in saving the Jewish people in her time (Esther 4:14). Up in until that time, her life was probably mundane with the routine of beauty treatment after beauty treatment. (Although, that kind of “mundane” life doesn’t sound too bad.)
A present day example of this idea is the story of Ashley Smith. In her quiet, everyday life, she was a single mother who was attending meetings to beat her addiction to methamphetamines. She was also in the middle of reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. She was just living her life in the best way that she knew how. Then an escaped convict, Brian Nichols, held her hostage in her own apartment. Her for-such-a-time-as-this moment had arrived. Her captor wanted her to do what she would normally do while he tried to figure out his plan. Therefore, Ashley continued to read The Purpose Driven Life. Brian asked her what she was reading. She told him. He asked her to read it aloud. She did and Brian Nichols found redemption from his many sins.
Living the quiet, normal, everyday moments of life can make you ready for the for-such-a-time-as-this moments when they arrive. Be ready.