Oh No! I could have had a V8

Esther 4:1-17 is the basis for James Moore's chapter for this week. Moore asks a number of questions about missed opportunities. Moments missed to make a difference in some one's life. Letters, phone calls, compliments, and many other things that never happened. He, then, highlights some characters in scripture that missed "their" moment. He lists about seven cases of missed opportunities to do a great thing. As you look through this list, can you think of others? Are there times or a time in your life that you recall having experienced your moment? How about a time when you said, "I wish I had(or hadn't)...." Esther seized the moment and saved her people great tragedy. Can you remember another person in history like Haman? What would have happened if Martin Luther, John Wesley or others had not stepped up? I recently heard a phrase that has stuck with me and comes to mind as I read the story of Esther. "Speak truth to power." Esther had the courage to do that. It would have been wrong to have allowed Haman to carry out his plan without speaking up. We know the end of the story, and it turned out all right. Esther couldn't know that; yet, she spoke up. Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke the truth to Hitler's regime and lost his life. So, the results are never forgone conclusions. All the Apostles spoke the truth and lost their lives in the process. Regardless of the outcome, we must be willing to seize the moment. Fortunately, most of us are not called to make that kind of decision. The study guide asks us to list some causes for missed moments. That may seem an unnecessary exercise, but it might help us to be prepared when "the moment" arises. Think about it.