Mordecai Moment. This phrase sprung from my spirit and through my lips while I was on the phone with my mom this morning. As we began to read through Esther chapters 6 and 10, the revelation flowed and joy arose in our hearts. I couldn't help but dig deeper and share this word of encouragement with you today...

Have you ever felt unnoticed?

Alone in a crowd... Lost in the shuffle...Good intentions gone unseen.

I believe we all have.

When considering these thoughts, I couldn't help but think of my boy Mordecai, the "supporting role" in the book/story of Esther.

Many of us, especially women, enjoy the story of Esther. Beauty. Favor. Royalty. Queen. These are just a few words that come to mind as we recall Esther's rags to riches story. The higher purpose of her beauty and courage to risk her life in order to speak on behalf of her people yet to perish is undeniably inspiring. What woman wouldn't want to undergo months of spa treatment, catch the eye of a king and become a beautiful queen used to rescue a generation?

But Mordecai, Esther's cousin, didn't have the spotlight role. A voice of wisdom and reason, he cared for Esther as his own daughter after her parents died and was the one to take her to the palace for a chance to be queen. He inspired Esther to break the silence and act on behalf of their people appointed to die. As she was raised up and drew closer to front/center stage, Mordecai remained content behind the scenes and didn't catch the eye of the king. Matter of fact, the good work that he did to spare the king's life (Esther 2:21-23) was written in a book and seemed to have gone unseen and unnoticed...until his moment came.

As we look at Esther 6, we find King Ahasuerus in the palace unsettled one evening. Unable to find rest, he summoned someone in to bring the book of records and read them to him. As they did, Mordecai's unseen act of valor was revealed and the king discovered that Mordecai had not been honored for his action that spared the king's life.

2 And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 Then the king said,

“What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?”

And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” (Esther 6:2-3)

Nothing had yet been done... but something was about to happen. Mordecai's moment was drawing near. The one who never did anything for recognition and out of a pure heart had caught the king's eye and was about to be rewarded....

I wanted to take a moment today to encourage you that your Mordecai Moment is drawing near. You've been doing all the right things, keeping your heart right, remaining humble before God and looking out for the well-being of others even when they can't see it. Maybe you've been working a job with integrity and have been overlooked for promotion... but like the stellar employees highlighted on Undercover Boss, your work is about to be noticed. Reward is on the way.

When we remain faithful and keep a pure heart, God sees that. He looks at the heart, while everyone else looks at the appearance. He looks behind the scenes, while everyone else focuses on front and center stage. He looks at the roots, while everyone else focuses on the height of the tree. It's the inner part of us that determines the outer work. It's the foundation that makes preparation for the building.

So to all the Mordecais out there, you who have been kept behind the scenes, know that your King has taken note of your work. You have not slipped through the cracks. You are noticed. You are seen. You are loved. And your moment is coming.

Emonne Markland

Leave Your Beauty Mark

P.S. Interested to read what happens next in Mordecai's story and how his moment unfolds? Read Esther 6 and find out how the king unknowingly used Mordecai's enemy to honor him before the entire city. You're gonna love it!