In Your "Such a Time," How Is God Positioning You?
Acts 26:18
"...to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’"
The concept of two spiritual kingdoms, the kingdom of light (aligned with God, truth, and righteousness) and the kingdom of darkness (associated with Satan, deception, and sin), is a foundational theme in Christian theology. Paul's retelling to king Agrippa of his encounter with Jesus vividly captures this reality and awakens people spiritually, leading them from bondage under Satan’s influence to freedom in God’s light.
In the kingdom of darkness, people are often unaware of their separation from God lights.
2 Corinthians 4:4
"In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
Turning to light involves a divine revelation, much like Paul’s own Damascus road experience (Acts 9), where scales fell from his eyes both literally and figuratively. And it's important to note that repentance is required in order to receive that light into your heart. It’s an active choice, but empowered by God who elects those who are saved.
The kingdom of light represents life, hope, and eternal inheritance.
Colossians 1:12-13
"giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son"
While darkness symbolizes death and futility, Jesus Himself is the light of the world, and He's inviting us to walk in it. Not by works, but by trusting, believing, acting in love, in Jesus. And at this point it may even seem somewhat rote, or overused, but it can never be shared enough because this world resists without fail one generation to the next.
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
In today’s world, this duality of light and darkness plays out in everyday choices, aligning with truth over lies, forgiveness over bitterness, or our service over selfishness.
What motivates a Christian to share this light?
Take a look at what Paul says...
Acts 26:29
And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains."
Having experienced deliverance from darkness, believers like Paul are driven by an overflowing thankfulness for the light that brought them out of darkness. The joy of forgiveness and sanctification compels them to want others to taste that same freedom. They feel compelled to act as ambassadors of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Sometimes it looks like God chooses losers, but the truth is he uses people's weakness to reach those trapped in darkness. Probably chooses them because they know the darkness. Knowing the kingdoms’ realities, light leading to inheritance with the saints, darkness to separation, fuels urgency in those who have been broken and then reborn in Christ. Paul wished even his accusers could know this liberty, minus the suffering, showing a selfless desire for a universal salvation. Sharing the gospel truth isn’t a burden for the saved, but a Spirit-led overflow. We’re given Holy Spirit power in order to witness, turning personal encounters into communal light-spreading.
In a world that often resists, consider: What chains might hold you back from sharing?
Think about this:
Take a look at Esther 4:14, where her uncle Mordecai urges her to intercede with King Xerxes saying to her:
"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 your royal position for such a time as this?"
Before the world was made, before sin caused the fall of mankind, God chose Esther, and John the Baptist, and the disciples, and the believers who supported the early church and he planned for Paul to share his story with Agrippa.
Esther's story in this verse echoes the duality of light and darkness. Haman’s plot against the Jews represents the kingdom of darkness, hatred, destruction, and human schemes; while Esther’s potential intervention aligns with God’s kingdom of light, bringing about his eternal plan of deliverance and justice. Mordecai highlights that silence in this crisis leads to personal and communal loss. Yet, God’s sovereignty ensures deliverance no matter what happens.
"For such a time as this" suggests that our circumstances, jobs, relationships, influences, are not accidental but orchestrated by God for His purposes. Esther’s beauty, favor, and queenship were gifts "given to her" for this pivotal hour, much like Paul’s commission in Acts 26 to turn people from darkness to light. God willed these things to happen.
Ephesians 1:4-10
"even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him."
God predestines every person to be saved, he makes the way for them to go, and he even sends ministers to encourage them along their way. He makes every effort, and then some, to help the world know that He loves them.
Esther risked death by approaching the king uninvited (Esther 4:16), yet she chose faith over fear, fasting and praying with her people. This mirrors the motivations we discussed earlier, gratitude for God’s grace, love for others, and awareness of the eternal stakes, driving us to share the gospel boldly. Esther chose faith, yet she was free to not do so. Mordecai motivated Esther to act for the salvation of many, yet she could have resisted.
All these passages of scripture we've been studying today underscore God’s loving predestination of believers for adoption, redemption, and holiness, lavishing His grace upon them in order to reveal His will and unite all in Christ. It speaks to His initiative. Choosing us in love, making the way through Jesus’ blood, and sending messengers like Paul or Mordecai to encourage faith. Yet, as we can clearly see, human response matters. But this evangelical spirit is still wrapped up in God's sovereign hands.
Philippians 2:13
"for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Though Esther was positioned by God, she was free to resist, highlighting the mystery of divine sovereignty and human will working together. In this tension, we see God’s plan isn’t coercive but invitational, predestining paths while honoring human choices.
Reflection: In your "such a time," how is God positioning you?
We’re invited to partner in His redemptive story. And faith is this: God’s sovereignty ensures the kingdom of light prevails, yet our "yes" amplifies His glory in the here and now. This mystery resolves not in full understanding but in trust and action. That's what faith is, an active trust. In a world resisting the gospel generation after generation, we’re reminded that God works in us to will and act; turning blindness to sight, and equipping us to share the gospel light boldly.
In Your "Such a Time," How Is God Positioning You?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, in the mystery of Your sovereignty and the reality of our choices, work in us to will and act for Your pleasure. Position us for such a time as this, empowering faithful responses that advance Your kingdom of light.
In Christ Jesus' Holy name, amen.