The Sentinel At My Crossroads

Years ago, I met someone incredibly dear to me. Let’s call him Mordecai. Luckily, it didn’t take long for me to catch onto his energies. I observed that this was not just another great person that had walked into my life. Mordecai doesn’t say much, but every time we talk, he’ll say one thing that steadies me when everything else inside me is shaking. What’s always amazed me is how his calm confidence, peace, and boldness seem to transfer straight into me,  the moment he says that one thing. Sometimes, it could be just 2 words. Other times, it will be a full-blown chat about a totally unrelated subject, and somewhere in there, he’ll make a statement that will clear my gaze. And suddenly, the doubts that clouded my mind vanish. I could swear that before then, I might have been second-guessing a certain move, but immediately we speak,  I’m not only encouraged but also empowered to take on the world once again. The key word is empowered. I’ve found that to be a rare power that not everyone possesses. He shakes me awake without shouting, reminding me who I really am and why I can’t back down.  Mordecai challenges me, yes, but with a conviction that pushes me toward my purpose, even when I’m tempted to hide or doubt myself.

I’ve also come to realize that this version of Mordecai only appears at certain pivotal moments in my life. Since the day we first met, he seems to perceive far more in me than I have ever shared or perhaps even acknowledged myself. Yet still, he will not hesitate to call out versions of me that few others have ever seen.

How did my thoughts land here today? I’ll tell you. I had been studying a few things and thought to myself: oftentimes, when we read the Book of Esther, our eyes gravitate to Esther herself. She’s the queen synonymous with favour, who functions with an uncanny wisdom and bravely steps up, risking everything to save her people. Sure, she deserves that spotlight. Her courage is incredible. Whenever the world sees her, it sees someone who seems to have their act together,  always knowing what buttons to punch. But today, I want to pull us back just a bit and look at someone else — Mordecai.

Mordecai isn’t the star of the show, but he is the steady hand that kept the story moving forward. From taking Esther on as an orphaned girl, he saw what needed to be done for Esther to rise. He genuinely had the heart for her.  And even when Esther became Queen, he retained a watchful presence behind the scenes.He “sat at the king’s gate” , a modest role that gave him eyes and ears into the heart of Persian politics It was there that he uncovered the deadly plot against King’s Xerxes– something that would have affected Queen Esther’s purpose – and took action.

He was the same one who refused to bow when everyone else did, standing firm in his convictions thus jumpstarting the Haman plot, and even went on to remind Esther of her calling when fear tried to silence her.

Mordecai is that steady voice that refuses to let us settle for less than what we’re meant for. Someone who can look us in the eye and say, “Remember who you are. Remember why you’re here. Don’t back down now.” Sometimes we don’t want that kind of truth.  We’d rather the easy path and the safe silence. But courage is messy, and walking in purpose will not always be comfortable. Many times, it requires you to  choose to stand when the world wants you to kneel.

Writing a vision down, planning, and even taking the first steps of execution, like I encouraged you to, in my previous post is good. But I can assure you that as long as you are pursuing an extraordinary path, having a Mordecai that not only guides you but also quite literally speaks power into you will make all the difference.

If you have a Mordecai in your life , thank God for them. I believe you do, and you need to very quickly realise them if you haven’t already. They’re rare and precious. I dearly thank God for mine.

Different seasons may come with varied forms of  “Mordecai,” and you need to be positioned to recognise them. One thing about Mordecai’s is that they’ll hardly be loud and imposing. And more often than not, their wisdom will not come shouting. It is upon you to discern and pick it up.

More importantly, maybe today is the day to be that person for someone else. I know what difference a Mordecai makes, and I’m committed to being that for someone else. You should, too.