Using your position

“‘O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name. Give Your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.’ I was cupbearer to the king.” Nehemiah 1:11
Every place we end up in life, every person we come into contact with – God uses to grow our character, and as opportunities to witness to others and make a difference for the Kingdom. Jesus spoke about this in the parable of the unfaithful steward, Luke 16. “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). He’s not talking about buying friendships, but using our resources for God’s purposes. Similarly Esther was encouraged by Mordecai, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Est. 4:14).
As Christians, we should be a positive and godly influence in our workplaces, our classrooms, our sports teams, committees we are on. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king and was thus in contact with him every day, having to taste the food and wine to check it was up to standard and not poisoned. He had the king’s trust. And he was rewarded for faithfully bringing his plea to go and rebuild Jerusalem. It might sound like you have selfish intentions, to use your position as a platform for God. But doesn’t He deserve it? Sure, if you create a bad witness in doing so, that’s not right. But God is supposed to be first in every aspect of our lives, not just when we meet together with other Christians.