Have you ever heard the saying, “I should have been born in a different time”? Have you ever felt like that was true to you? I know I have. I’ve always felt like I should have been born in much simpler times. Especially the way things are going in our own times, it would have been nice to live in much simpler times. However, I am here for a reason. God has a plan for all of us and He knows what He’s doing. He brought me into these times for a reason.

“…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

That verse comes from the book of Esther. Now, for those of you who do not know, Esther lived in some pretty complicated times. She was the wife of a very powerful king who had it out for her people. However, God put her there so that she may be a voice for her people and save them. God had a plan for her. In the same way, God has a plan for us. Sometimes we don’t understand why we are here or why we had to be here in these times. However, God knows the plans He has for you.

“He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment, Because for every matter there is a time and judgment, Though the misery of man increases greatly. For he does not know what will happen; So who can tell him when it will occur?” – Ecclesiastes 8:5-7

I have often wondered why God would have brought me into these times. The more time goes by, the darker and more sinister this world seems to get. I am a very happy and cheerful person. I would have preferred it if I was born in a more happy and cheerful time. However, I was born for these times. The more I think about it, the more I see God calling me to be salt and light in this world.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16

Now, I don’t think that I am that amazing of a person. At times I still struggle to understand my own self-worth. However, because I have God living in me, there is a light living in me. So, maybe…just maybe, I was meant to use that happy-go-lucky nature that He has given me to cheer others up. Maybe I am here to teach those same principles to my unborn son so that he too may go into this world and share that light. Maybe there is a greater purpose to me being born in such dark and difficult times. There is no maybe about it. I know without certainty that God has me here for a reason.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9

Every one of us has been called for His purpose. We may not always understand why we are here or what we are meant to do. However, that is ok. God DOES NOT work in mysterious ways. He is very clear. We just don’t always understand the things He does because we are limited in our view. The key to being able to understand or have peace with God’s will is faith. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”. This includes God’s will. We may not always see it or understand it, but with faith, we can have peace and assurance that everything will be ok.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21

You were made for times such as these. As a soon-to-be mom, I’ve worried and wondered about the times in which my little one will grow up. However, I have no need to worry. In the same way that I was made for these times, my baby was made for the times in which he will live. God is taking care of us and there is no need to worry about the future. Instead, we need to cling to Him and know that He has a plan for us. We need to seek Him continually and fervently. Jesus will be coming back soon. We don’t know when, but we do know that He is coming back. Until then, we need to prepare ourselves for His coming. Seek God and have faith that He knows the plans He has for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11