Jessica Levy Books

It took me a long time to decide what I wanted my signature to look like. I used to throw out whole sheets of notebook paper that were covered in different options I was trying. Maybe I’m the only one who did that, but I always wanted my signature to be representative of me. It was no casual choice, I needed to have options! As a budding high school freshman, my signature was sleek, quick, almost as cool as I was. At 16, it took up a more feminine overtone, with loops and curlicues. Now, it’s barely legible, the stereotypical doctor’s note, mostly the result of frequency of use. Between promissory notes, work documents, and other adulting, I just want to put some ink on the page. It is, however, followed by a different last name and several letters now, so it continues to be reflective of (parts of) who I am.

One of the greatest aspects of humanity is that there is a commonality of experience. Some of us may be on top of the world right now. Others may be in the deepest pit. Some are looking forward to tomorrow and others dreading it. Others weren’t thinking much about it until they read this paragraph. Regardless of the season you are in, you can be assured someone else has been there before. You can also be sure that the pendulum will swing the other way, it’s part of the human experience. If not soon, it will happen eventually! Until it does, there is an opportunity for every single human to leave their distinct mark on the season they are in.

Sometimes, we all have the opportunity to leave our mark at the same time. As I write this, all of humanity is enduring a relatively rare season. We have seen better times, we also know better times are ahead. Some people are taking advantage of the time to slow down, others are struggling to make ends meet without being able to work. Most of us are a little bored, even though we might also be completely overwhelmed!

As with all seasons and circumstances, we have an opportunity. An opportunity to make a change, to make a difference, to reflect on our thoughts, words, actions, and an opportunity to leave a mark. What do you want this time in your life to stand for? The history books will record it on the timeline. Your phone records, your Facebook/Twitter/Instagram posts, your schedule, your children’s memories, your memories…what will they have to show for this time?

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

Every time you endure a season, be it comfortable or not, you have the same opportunity: to be more like the person you were made to be! In chapter 4 (well, the whole book, really), Esther was going through quite a season. An undercover Jew in the Persian palace who had found early favor with the king, Esther recently learned that her people were going to be killed and her desperate uncle pleaded with her to approach the king, asking him to reconsider. Esther’s season was suddenly outlined by distress, fear, feelings of inferiority, uncertainty, and urgency. She had an opportunity to leave a mark that was not apparent to her at the time.

At the time, Esther was mostly focused on the fact that following her uncle’s instructions (as was her signature up to this point) was likely to get her killed and she wasn’t really into that (v. 11). Uncle Mordecai, though, knew that Esther had a chance to sign her name on a pivotal moment. Not for her glory, but for her chance to be part of greatness, for the survival of her (of God’s) people. Mordecai’s wisdom and Esther’s follow-through not only saved the people, but it accomplished God’s divine purpose.

In this and every season, in every moment, you have the chance to touch eternity. God purposefully set Esther in her royal place for the time he knew was coming. He purposefully set you where you are. Maybe some of the details are the result of decisions you or others made, but God has a purpose for you in all circumstances. How you respond to each opportunity can bring honor to God’s purpose…or not. The mark you leave matters. The care you take with your actions and your words, spoken or posted, contributes to your signature on each day. Who knows for what purpose you have been brought to such a time as this?

(Answer: God does)