Such a Time as This

We lead a Bible study each week for a group of teenagers and are pausing in our study of Romans for a look at the Christmas story. Tonight we studied the first chapter of Luke, including the telling of the future births of John the Baptist and Jesus.

It is very interesting reading the accounts now that I am pregnant. I was particularly struck by what was told to Zechariah about his son, John. Gabriel told him, "Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:16-17) That is a pretty high calling for Zechariah's son and I cannot imagine what it would be like to be told that my son would be used by God to lead His people in such a way.

It reminds me of when I listened to a teaching from the Old Testament book of Esther when I was just about six weeks pregnant. Esther was a woman used by God to save her people and one of my favorite verses is what is said to her by her cousin: "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b). I remember at that time wondering what my baby's "time such as this" is? Why did God choose to bring my son to this world at this point in history? What is the plan for his life and how will God choose to use him?

I am so excited to see all that God will do in his life. It causes me to pray for him, that he will be obedient and ready to be used by God. It also encourages me to be a mother that guides him to be a godly man. Because who knows but that he has come to position for such a time as this?