(Photo by Selma Komisky)

Editor’s Note: May, 2020

By Sarah Komisky

The greatest writing advice I received was this – create tension. Sounds good when your writing fiction, but how does it work in real life? Yes, no drama please! But it seems like tension has been the backdrop over and over again. Especially when it comes to history. And don’t we love our heroes and heroines that persevered through it? I know I do. Which is why the character of Esther in the Bible came to mind when creating this new issue theme. Talk about tension in her story! But look how it shaped a historymaker!

Esther was the first “Miss Congeniality.” A simple Jewish girl who was an exile and orphan was also taken into a foreign world to be groomed to become the new queen. Noticed for her natural beauty and grace, Esther shined in the group of ladies vying for a king Xerxes affection. However, Esther didn’t know there was a bigger plan unfolding beyond the pageant crown.

God would use Esther to intercede for the Jewish people who were being targeted for death by the wicked Haman who was planning a conspiracy for annihilation. When Esther’s cousin Mordecai gets word, he tells Esther the news and pleads her to intervene using her now royal position (spoiler – the King picks Esther to be his new queen).

No one knows how Esther must have felt in that moment. Fearful. Confused. Intimidated. Insecure. We can only imagaine. Remember, as a woman, Esther could be killed herself if she spoke up and revealed her true identity as a Jewish woman.

Yet, In this time of tension and decision, Morcadi tells his cousin, “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 3:14).

It is the choice we all have in a time of crisis. Make history or sit on the sidelines. My friends, we have a choice to make and how much would we miss if we choose to remain silent and not act?

In a time that is uncertain and scary, we too have been positioned for such a time as this wherever you are at and whatever you do and whoever you are. You have a special role to play – right now.

One of things we all love about history books is seeing how people survived the decade or a crazy situation. How they persevered and did things even when they were afraid. The Bible is a history book and it tells us Esther became a historymaker saving an entire race of Jewish people. Epic.

We at Marked Ministry believe we are also made for such a time as this. We want to go down in the books for doing something good and hopeful. We want to make history.

So, we created content that reflects that resolve with personal stories, raw experiences, and even biblical examples to look to. We’ve kept the focus on dealing with the here and now and making a difference right where we’re at. Which is why we’ve invited some friends who we know are making history in this time of quarantine and crisis. One of them is Adrienne Camp (wife of Jeremy Camp), singer-songwriter, and co-author of the marriage book “In Unison.” Another is Executive Vice President of All Things Possible Ministries, humanitarian, and wife of Victor Marx, Eileen Marx sharing her story on making her mark. Therapist and author best known for “Wild” at Heart,” John Eldredge will be sharing some soul care advice from his new book, “Get Your Life Back.” Finally, entrepreneur and author Tara Royer Steele of Royer’s Pie Haven will talk comfort food, letting God inspire dreams, and giving back.

We can’t wait for you to read! We hope you are not only encouraged but inspired to be a history maker for good because we think everyone has the potential to be one. You got it in you. Tension has the ability to mold our epic story for the better. Let’s rise up for such a time as this.

Sarah