The verse above is a challenge to all who are privileged. As doctors we can sometimes feel under-privileged, with long hours of demanding work not adequately rewarded. However, when we stop to think, we realise that our education, training and experience do give us tremendous privileges. While we are not in a royal position like Esther, we have opportunities, responsibilities and influence that many people will never have. Will we rise to the challenge of using our abilities for God’s glory and the service of others, ‘at such a time as this?’ Will we dare to go to (or stay in) difficult places where we are needed, where others refuse to go?

These are big questions, which have uncomfortable answers. When Esther’s father, Mordecai, is exhorting her to speak out for the Jewish people, he points out that if she does not rise to save them, ‘deliverance will arise from another place’, but she will suffer herself. Sometimes we can feel that we are doing God a favour by serving him, and that he couldn’t do without us. In fact, our sovereign God will carry out his purposes whether we help him or not, but we miss out enormously if we do not fit in with his work and become part of it.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the enormous privilege you have given me. Help me to be willing to serve you wherever you might ask me to go, or by whatever you might ask me to do.