“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Est. 4:14)
Expanded Passage: Esther 4:1, 4; 4:12—5:9
Professor Dave and I sat and waited for our lunches at the local Thai restaurant. He had invited me to talk about my journey into vocational ministry. At the time, nothing was clear except that I was feeling called. I was wrestling with where to go to seminary, what area of ministry to pursue, and even my place as a woman in ministry. I’m not someone who enjoys ambiguity or uncertainty, and the lack of direction was slowly draining my resolve. I expected Dave to do most of the talking and to lay out my options. Instead, he asked questions and patiently listened to my responses. With each prompt, I gained more and more clarity. By the end of our time together I could hardly contain my excitement for the possibilities of this new endeavor.
Esther is the heroine in the book that carries her name, but she may not have risen to the occasion if not for Mordecai. His poignant question: “Who knows but that you are in your royal position for such a time as this?” was just the inspiration she needed. Esther’s story is a reminder that our stories are shaped by the people in our lives. I am incredibly grateful for the people, like Professor Dave, who positively shaped mine. A single lunch can change the trajectory of a life. Whose story can you invest in today?
Encourage a young leader to take a step of faith.
Samantha Freds is an ordained pastor in The Wesleyan Church. She enjoys being active outside and spending time with her husband and two little girls.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
