For Such a Time
What do you do when you belong to an organisation, company, or country whose leader you don’t support or whose culture is contrary to your values and beliefs?
Do you run, quit, or protest?
Those may be valid responses. But I’d like to present another option:
Have you ever heard of Obadiah? I know, unusual name.
Obadiah was the chief of staff in King Ahab’s palace (~ 5th c. BC). Ahab is infamous for being the most wicked of Israel’s kings. As a high official, Obadiah has to carry out Ahab’s orders – but he also has the means to be faithful to his own beliefs. When Ahab’s wife Queen Jezebel orders the prophets of the Lord to be killed, Obadiah hides a hundred prophets in two caves ad provides them bread and water until the crises abates (1 Kings 18:3-16).
A better known figure is Esther.
Esther was the Queen of Persia when Haman, the right man of King Ahasuerus, tries to annihilate all the Jews in the Empire (~5th c. B.C). She courageously risks her life to expose Haman and to plead for her people. The Jews still celebrate the Feast of Purim to honour the historical event (Esther 8,9).
Obadiah and Esther were at the right place at the right time to save lives and make a difference.
We may not be high officials or royalty. But we can still exert our influence in a corrupt environment to bring about some good. Of course, if being in that setting starts to poison us, it is time to get out. But until then, could it be that we are where we are for a reason?
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14