Life is full of uninvited twists and turns that often catch us off guard.

Esther

God has an incredible role for you in His story.

In the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials… . For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. —Esther 1:3-4 | NIV84

“King Xerxes was in high spirits” —Esther 1:10 | NIV84

to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. —Esther 1:11 | NIV84

Later when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. —Esther 2:1 | NIV84

This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it. —Esther 2:4 | NIV84

Esther was lovely in form and features. —Esther 2:7 | NIV84

Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and little children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. —Esther 3:13 | NIV84

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” —Esther 4:12-14 | NIV84

“such a time as this.”

We all need a Mordecai in our lives.

Don’t ever underestimate or undersell where God has placed you.

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” —Esther 4:15-16 | NIV84

Courage is always a choice.

Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. —Esther 7:3-4 | NIV84

King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?” Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” —Esther 7:5-6 | NIV84

The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house? As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. —Esther 7:8 | NIV84

God has an incredible role for you in His story.