Gò0dNews for Everyone
For Such A Time As This
L
by Leah Hadder
iving in a time of negative media, news, and
to get caught up in thoughts related to how we present
information ready to change at our fingertips, it is easy
ourselves to the public. Others are so concerned with
to lose focus on what is truly important.
titles and prestige. Many admit that seeing posts on
As a believer in the pageant industry, it is easy to get
social media have made them feel inadequate. People
distracted by comparison. Sometimes, I may not feel good
want “the next best thing” instead of pursuing engaging
enough, wise enough, or pretty enough to enact God’s
ways to appreciate the present. The grass isn’t always
calling on my life. I once heard a former Miss America
greener on the other side, folks!
state titleholder share her competition story. She had
What can we do with the time and positions we have
competed for years before placing runner-up in her last
now to reach others for the Kingdom? What gifts has God
year to compete. Feeling defeated, she sadly accepted her
given us that we can use to minister to others? What can we
placement. Surprisingly, months after, the current state
focus on to ensure that we are living our lives to the fullest
titleholder won the national crown, and the speaker then
within His will?
resumed the duties of the state’s crown. What a testimony of God’s working!
As Miss Petite Tennessee, I am in a very special, appointed position to influence others. There are many
Concluding her story, she held up the coveted state
opportunities with the platform that I’ve been given to
crown. It was gorgeous, sparkling, and covered with jewels
help those in need, edify others who feel discouraged,
from top to bottom. She then stated a quote that influenced
and speak to many across the South about faith and
my thoughts as a believer.
perseverance. Pageant title, workplace position, leadership
As she held up the crown, she said, “You know, this is lovely, but it’s just a decorated piece of metal. I can’t believe that I made this an idol for most of my life when now, I can hold it in my hands and place it in a box.”
duty…whatever it may be, you are given time. How will you use it? Esther 4:14: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,
“What!?” I thought. “How ungrateful!”
but you and your father’s family will perish. And who
She then concluded her message with, “I struggled
knows but that you have come to your royal position for
for so many years thinking that I needed this to be happy. It’s not the object that makes you happy. It’s what you do with the crown that is most important.” After a moment of confusion, I then began to understand what she was trying to explain. It is tempting
48 // May 2020
such a time as this?”
