“…for such a time as this?”
It’s been five days since Stephen Nedoroscik stepped into the spotlight.
But his story hasn’t stopped circulating in my brain.
If you haven’t been following the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, let me give you a quick recap. On July 29th, the men’s team finals for gymnastics were held. Stephen waited patiently as his teammates competed.
Then, finally, in the last rotation, it was his turn.
Stephen had been selected for the U.S. team for one reason: he is a pommel horse specialist. Only an outstanding performance could ensure that he and his teammates would win a medal.
He took off his glasses and delivered. For around 50 seconds he worked his way across, around, and over the pommel horse without a bobble. The U.S. men won bronze, the first time they had placed in the competition since 2008.
Stephen had one job to do, and he did it.
Once his euphoria dissipated, did he reflect on his years in the gym? Did he consider that he was the right man in the right place at the right time to help the U.S. bring home an Olympic medal?
That he was born for such a time as this?
That question may be familiar to you, especially if you spent some of your formative years in Sunday School, sitting in a semi-circle on the floor listening to a teacher (usually a lady perched on a child-sized chair) tell the story of Esther.
Esther was a beautiful Jewish woman who was elevated to the position of queen in Persia. Everything was swell until Haman, a self-important little man, formulated a plan to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire.
Mordecai, Esther’s adoptive father, pleaded with her to intervene for her people with the king, although doing so meant risking her life.
“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 (NIV)
Esther did act. Haman was hanged, the Jews were saved, and Mordecai got a promotion.
Esther met her moment and stopped a genocide.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Queen Esther are separated by around 2,500 years and almost as many degrees of consequence. (Although thrilling for spectators and momentous for competitors, the Olympics does not involve issues of life and death.)
But each was called for a purpose. And when the time came, they accomplished their respective missions.
I believe we’re all called to glorify God and live in fellowship with Him, a relationship made possible only through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.
I also know, deep down in a place words can’t reach, that each of us has a unique purpose. The adventure of the Christian journey lies in discovering the calling God had in mind when He formed us in the womb.
When I was a teenager, I realized that I was called to be a writer. I’ve followed that path, with varying degrees of commitment and success, ever since.
But I also believe that each new morning brings new purposes for that day. Perhaps I’m supposed to encourage the cashier at the Walmart, send a get-well card to a friend, or bake cookies for a neighbor. Nothing spectacular, but a calling, nonetheless.
I’ll never stand in a spotlight and hear the applause of thousands. But I’m here for a reason, as are you.
For such a time as this.
I’m praying the acclaim will come later.
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:21 (ESV)
https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/2024-olympics-stephen-nedoroscik-gymnast-pommel-horse
