Ok it’s your season. Everything is working in your favor. Prayers have been answered and your cup is running over. Praise God! However, do not make the mistake of thinking it’s all about you and that “your” season revolves just around you. When we think like that, we miss the opportunity for God to use us. Everything God designs is for a purpose, including the seasons of life. Blessings come to us to flow through us, not just to us. God told Abraham, “I am going to bless you and “through” you all the Nations of the earth will be blessed”. That position, status, gifts, talents, and power that God gives us is to advance His Kingdom here on Earth. God does not elevate us just so we can live large. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the favor and blessings of God, it is when we begin to think it is all about us that our spiritual defenses may come down and we may neglect discipline and relationships that have kept us close to and dependent on Jesus. When we are more thankful for the gifts than we are thankful for the Giver, our focus is on our resources rather than God who is our Source. No matter what season of life we are in, we must use our God-given positions for the benefit of the Kingdom of God.
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9”8-10)
“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you.
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
When we focus on advancing the Kingdom of God, we fulfill God’s purposes for us, and it is awesome to see Him work through us to be a blessing in the lives of others. God commanded us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Blessing others and receiving the blessings of others is a great part of fulfilling this mandate, enabling us to carry out that love. When we use our blessings for only our personal benefit, if we make it all about us, we become self-absorbed and lose sight of God’s plan and purpose for us. We miss the opportunity for Him to use us. Because we serve an intentional God, you can rest assured that we are in a particular season for a reason. I am reminded of the Book of Esther, where Esther’s cousin tells her “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you”. (John 15:12)
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13)
“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?” (Esther 4:14)
Even though God is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, it just proves to me that God is always at work, even if we can’t see Him. Throughout the book, I see God controlling, directing, and working through all what seems to be circumstances in order to protect His people and accomplish His ultimate purpose. I don’t think it was just luck that King Ahasuerus chose Esther from among all the young women of the kingdom to be his next queen, I’m sure there were others just as beautiful. (Est. 2:17). I don’t believe it was a coincidence that Mordecai overheard the plot against the king and rescued him from assassination, and Mordecai’s valiant deed of loyalty was recorded in the royal archives. (2:21–23). What about when Esther presented herself before the king (which, in Persian law, was punishable by death), and she “won favor in his sight” and was spared and allowed to speak. (5:2). Nope, that was not a coincidence. Was it just good fortune that the king could not sleep and therefore ordered that the chronicles of memorable deeds should be read to him or that the scribe just happened to read about Mordecai and his heroic act or that the king was alert enough to ask whether Mordecai had been rewarded for his deed. (6:1–3) And how ironic for Haman to walk in just as the king was considering how he might honor Mordecai for his deed. (6:4–12). Was it just bad luck that Haman “was falling on the couch where Esther was” to beg for his life just as the king returned which the king interpreted as an assault upon Esther? (7:8). It is interesting that Mordecai was made second in command in place of Haman over all of the vast Persian empire (8:2,10:2–3). Coincidences? No, I don’t think so. We serve an intentional God and His hand was all over this! However, what if Esther had stuck to her initial reaction when Mordecai asked her to go to the King. Esther was slow to come around to the idea of going in to visit the king. Her first reaction was fear and concern for her own life. It was a lot to ask, she would be facing the possibility of death. We know that God’s purpose would have been fulfilled even if she had not allowed God to use her, as her cousin told her, but Esther would have missed her opportunity to be used by God. It was only when she thought about her people and that she may have been placed there for this purpose that Esther came through, and God used her actions to save her people. A Jewish orphan, became Esther, the queen who saved her people. (The Book of Esther)
What we can learn from Ester is when we are blessed we must be obedient to God to be a blessing to others. We see God’s love for His people and how He worked in the lives of Ether and her cousin Mordecai for the good of Israel. Today He also wants to use us and work in our lives for His people and His Kingdom.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Don’t you know you’re God’s masterpiece?” (Ephesians 2:10)
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more, another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:24-25)
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8)
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:20-21)
Blessings are not just material things. They can be words of encouragement, your time, even a smile. Acts of kindness does not have to cost a thing. Most people think of blessings as good health, family, wealth, happiness, status, and material things. All that’s good but is nothing compared to spiritual blessings such as peace and joy. When we walk with Christ, we open ourselves up to more spiritual blessings, like forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit, the power to do God’s will, and eternal life. Just like the physical blessings, God wants us to share these spiritual blessings as well. The goodness of Christ is too good to keep to ourselves! Love and blessing…
EMMANUEL 
🙏🏿
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