TITLE: "For such a time as this" By Sara Harricharan 10/17/06 |
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I shift again, uncertainly, restlessly in the reception room. The polite smile of apology pasted on my face, my thoughts in sheer turmoil. Words from the story of Esther, replay in my head over and over.
“Who knows? Maybe God has chosen you for such a time as this.”
A growing sense of urgency begins to override my common sense and I find myself wanting to get up and start walking. I can’t really explain it, though it’s kind of like how I ended up here in the first place, tagging along with Uncle Brian to his business meeting.
We had quite a morning, with everything going wrong like crazy. Something kept bothering me, a feeling that I needed to go with him. That’s when that phrase started popping into my head.
“For such a time as this.”
My head feels like it will explode however impossible it is. I pray. Father? What are you trying to tell me? I’m listening.
I feel his answer rather than hear it. I get up and start walking. Where, I’m not sure, but I am walking and praying.
I round the corner and run straight into Uncle Brian. He looks very worried; his face is stretched taut with stress.
“For such a time as this.”
“Uncle?” I ask.
He begins to explain, but I am not hearing him. “Father, I’m here now. Is this the time? Use me for your glory as you would see fit.” It takes so much to pray that. I am confused. Uncle Brian is still talking. His voice filters through my silent prayer.
“His name is Leon; he’s Myles son and only child. I don’t know what’s going on between them, but he’s threatening to commit suicide.”
The last word jolts me into panic. “Father, please! I-I wouldn’t know what to say, what to do….I’m not ready to share this yet!”
“Be still” The whisper echoes. “Trust me. For I have chosen you for such a time as this.”
“The door is locked and no one can get through to stop him before he hurts himself. We already tried to break the door down.” Uncle Brian is frustrated. I can hear it in his voice as he continues. “Paramedics, the therapist, his mother-all of them stuck in traffic or something.”
“Father, give me your strength to do this. I need you now, to be with me, in me and even deeper than that.”
My prayers were answered. I had no idea what I did until later, when Uncle Brian told me the whole story.
He says I got this strange look in my eye, walked over to Mr. Stratton, gently moved him from the door, opened it and went inside. When they went to open the door, it was locked like before.
I can’t tell you what happened in there, because that’s between my heavenly father, me and Leon.
Uncle Brian said I was a fire fighter, fighting the fires of hell to give one person a last chance to choose the destiny of their soul.
I don’t see it that way.
But when God works in and through someone to reach someone else, it’s a mind-blowing experience.
You see, my parents died in a plane crash a few years ago. Before Uncle Brian decided to take me in, I nearly committed suicide. By God’s grace alone I have quite a story to tell. By his name alone, I am alive to tell it.
“For such a time as this.”
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