Platform

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

What is your royal position? Don’t say you don’t have one!! You do.

Platforms and influencers, bloggers and podcasters flood our world today. Most of these people have simply taken advantage of the ability for anyone to acquire a channel, website, media page, or broadcast. Becoming famous only takes being sensational, controversial, or trendy. Some people take their platform “public”, but most do not. To be fair, there are many, many wonderful and inspiring or informative websites, but most of us do not think of having our own platform(s).

The Oxford American Dictionary lists at least nine definitions of the word “platform”. You may know all of them, most of them having to do with a structure from which to establish views or processes. However, the earlier French word of its derivation means “ground plan”. I like this because it rings truer for what we each possess.

As it turned out, due to his jealousy of Mordecai, Haman (close to the king) derived a wicked plot to permit the killing of all Jews in Persia. The only Jew in a position–having a platform–to save her people reigned as Queen Esther. Yet death awaited anyone who approached the king without being summoned. Mordecai’s words to her were strong. “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 

Imagine a young, beautiful Jewish girl as an orphan being raised as a daughter by her Uncle Mordecai. When King Ahasuerus of Persia sent the message to look for a new wife, Mordecai presented her to Hegai for the harem. Her uncle told Hadassah not to reveal her heritage and to use a Persian name. When her turn came to be presented to the King, he was overwhelmed with her beauty and kindness. Moving from orphan to Queen was a considerable rise in platform. Someone had drawn a “ground plan” unknown to any man. Because Hadassah (Esther) had obeyed her Uncle, she was in the right place at the right time to save her people. And she did this in a remarkable way by the grace and guidance of God.

The royal position of a Christian is “a child of the King”. Believers hold the title of beloved prince or princess in a great kingdom. This is your platform. God intends each of us to use our platform and presence wherever He places us. This may be at home, school, a workplace, your neighborhood, with your talents, keyboard, hospitality…or even online.

Find this story in the Bible’s short book of Esther, right after the book of Job.. 

Read it and ask God’s purpose for your royal position. What platform is he calling to use? Rest assured He has prepared you for it and will guide you by His Holy Spirit. Your platform is intentional–for such a time as this. God’s grace and guidance are available to you.