Today we are publishing not two, but three pieces that I hope you all pay attention to.

1. Marti’s now-famous article: “For Such A Time As This” that no matter how many times you’ve read it, read it once more. That goes for me too.
2. Of the incredible responses we have received so far, the one that stands out is one by Peter from Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA. We are printing it here after Marti’s article for your inspiration and as an example of how one member of our Catch community is taking action.
3. Study Questions for Lesson 4. I think you will agree, these questions will help you unlock what God wants YOU to do for such a time as this.

FINALLY, write us as Peter and others have done and let us know how God wants you to take action. You can comment publicly below or privately by replying to this email.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Such A Time As This…

by Marti Fischer

There’s a moment in Scripture — tucked into the Book of Esther — that has echoed through generations of God’s people. Mordecai’s words to Esther cut through her fear and hesitation:

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

That line wasn’t meant to comfort. It was meant to awaken.

Esther was safe — for the moment — hidden in the palace, removed from her people’s suffering. But comfort is deceptive as we’ve already discovered. It seduces us into silence. It whispers that we can sit this one out, that someone else will step up, and that instead of being “in the world but not of it,” we hide from the very people God calls us to reach.

But we are not called to be comfortable. We are called to presence, to proximity, to purpose.

Like the Jews in Persia, we too are living in exile of sorts. Not geographic, but spiritual. Many live as residents in a world they are “of,” though they try not to be “in.” However, many early Jews chose to remain in the Persian Empire even after the exile lifted. They had built lives, homes, and communities. They worked, traded, raised families, and influenced their neighborhoods. They learned to live faithfully and fruitfully in a foreign land — not by retreating, but by integrating without compromising.

This is the tension of the Christian life. The same one Jesus spoke of when He prayed, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one… As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:15-18)

But somewhere along the way, many of us took a different path. We retreated and built safe bubbles, isolating ourselves in a Christian subculture. Fearing persecution, rejection, and discomfort, we created an environment where we wouldn’t have to face it or feel it. In doing so, however, we abandoned our posts. We stopped asking: What if I’m here — for this moment — for such a time as this?

And let’s be honest: fear, comfort, and limiting beliefs are all thieves. Thieves of impact. Thieves of purpose. Thieves of time.

When we avoid the world, we miss out on why we were sent into it.

Jesus never shied away from culture; He stepped right into its heart. He touched lepers, dined with outcasts, and sat at the tables of those considered unworthy. He walked through tension, not around it. And He calls us to follow Him — not just in belief, but in action.

Esther had a choice. She could stay silent and safe or step forward and risk everything — not just once but every day after. That’s the kind of courage we need today.

“To live for such a time as this” isn’t a one-time heroic act; it’s a way of life.

It involves staying alert, asking tough questions, and showing up when it’s inconvenient. It requires crossing boundaries, embracing complexity, loving when it costs, and risking reputation or comfort for the sake of another.

It means viewing this fractured, fearful, magnificent, broken world, not as something to escape, but as a field ready for love, one person at a time.

We live in a culture full of pain, confusion, and conflict. And still, God has placed us here. Now. Not to dominate. Not to disappear. But to dwell with. To walk closely enough with people that we recognize what’s needed and provide it — not from a distance, but up close with hands that serve and hearts that break.

This is how Jesus lived. This is how we are called to live.

So I ask you: What would change if you began to see each day as part of your “for such a time as this”?

Don’t wait for the right moment. This is it. Don’t waste time hiding in safety. Step out into grace. Don’t let fear silence your voice. You were made for this moment.

Let’s stop waiting to be called and realize—we already are.

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Peter’s Response

When I read what Marti wrote, my first thought was, “But what can I do?” So I prayed that question to God, and the following is what happened.

The church I attend in Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA has had an evangelistic goal for 4 or 5 years now…. “We desire to reach greater Edmonton for Jesus Christ.” We have had some encouraging events at Easter. Both of the last two Easters 150+ people were baptized. The Alpha program is going strong. There seems to be more coming. The population of Edmonton, however, the suburbs and bedroom communities, is 1.5 million people. We have a ways to go.

Monday night at prayer group my friend Charles invited me to come to the Wednesday Seniors luncheon. I declined. I said I did not want to engage in old people talking about the past, present day personal ailments and griping about politics. I am 80 years old, but I don’t like hanging around “old” people. He informed me that is not the case here. He convinced me and I decided to attend.

The night before I prayed, “What can I do, Lord? If this is, ‘for such a time as this’ for me, show me what you have in mind.”

I woke up at 3:30 am with a EUREKA MOMENT — you know, the kind you keep a pencil and paper on the night stand for. I wrote the following before I had a senior moment and forgot it all.

1. Patricia King’s prophecy to seniors 2017.
2. An army of old age pensioners
3. God’s dirty underwear
4. An army of infantry only…no missiles, no airplanes, no nuclear weapons.
5. Beulah Church’s impact on greater Edmonton for Jesus!!
6. Who knows maybe we were made for a time like this… Esther
7. What are we waiting for, and who is God waiting for?

No senior moment fortunately. I was to run this by the seniors leadership and I did. We have agreed to meet in the next few months. They were excited to see what this will bring to God’s Kingdom advancement. During the luncheon and the speech/meditation it came up four or five times — “maybe we were made for such a time as this.”

My part was three speeches to the seniors to light a fire under their spiritual zeal.

The message is basically this.

Seniors, I have three speeches prepared. Once a month beginning in September when the Seniors luncheon season resumes. The leadership is in favor of me doing this. You are to listen to these inspiring talks and creatively let the Holy Spirit show you what your response should be. There is no pressure, talk around your tables after the speech and brainstorm how Beulah’s seniors can impact greater Edmonton for King Jesus. If you want to come on board fine, if you are not inclined, do not feel slighted. Sometimes other family issues take precedence.

Catch community …. this is the bare bones idea that I am going to pray about and have God make happen. It was after all His idea. After writing down the plan my body literally vibrated with joy and anticipation for this God-ordained project!

PS. There is much more to this already. I thought it was urgent to let the seniors in the Catch Community know what God had put on my heart. To also give Marti and John some encouragement that this theme of ‘for such a time as this’ is gathering momentum. (Thank you, Peter, it certainly did.)

Session 4: For Such a Time as This

Scripture

Isaiah 6:8, Romans 12:1–2, James 1:22–25

Key Idea

You were not meant to be a spectator. You were created to respond. To love. To show up. Right now.

Reflection Questions

• • What does ‘for such a time as this’ mean in your life right now?

   [Journal your response here…]

• • What risk might God be asking you to take?

   [Journal your response here…]

• • What might change if you said ‘yes’ today?

   [Journal your response here…]

Prayer Focus

Ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you and give you boldness to respond.

Action Step

Make a commitment to one long-term obedience step (e.g., serving somewhere, mentoring someone, or starting a habit of consistently showing up in a challenging space).

Closing Encouragement

You do not have to change the world all at once. But you are called to be present. To listen. To love. To stand up. To stand in. To stay open.

Your life matters—for such a time as this.