Purpose Study Bible 323: Urgency

The edict has been issued that all Jews were to be purged from the kingdom, and at that point it was clear, at least to Mordecai, that God had strategically placed him and his cousin to prevent this genocide. Esther was not immediately convinced, however, but Mordecai challenged her with an oft-quoted and well-known piece of advice:

"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

Esther listened to her cousin and responded:

"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 attendants 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 4:16).

Mordecai and Esther saw the urgency of the moment and God wants you to function with that same mindset. What He created you to do is urgent and it requires an "all-in" mentality. What you have to say or do can only be said or done by you, and people are waiting for it to happen, although they won't know they have been waiting until you show up. That's why you need to write, learn the language, go back to school, preach the message, or start the business. People's lives are hanging in the balance and you can make a difference, but only if you act with this-is-the-day urgency.

Mordecai and Esther moved quickly and then fasted for three days, willing to go without food to enlist God's help. Then Esther risked her life by going into the king. What is your level of urgency in fulfilling your creative purpose? Do you see that who you are and what you do make a difference? Are you willing to miss a meal or two in order to focus on your God-given work? Mordecai and Esther were in a life-or-death situation. While yours is probably not that serious, it is still serious enough to require your obedience, courage, and commitment to act.