We are reading the dramatic story of Esther.  When I was young, around 60 years ago – and a member of the large Melbourne Youth Group, we put on an elaborate presentation of Esther and I played the part of Mordecai.  It is the sort of thing that sticks in your mind. The pivotal point in this book is the challenge that Mordecai gave to Esther now that she had the position of Queen to King Ahasuerus.  Mordecai’s declaration was that she must go before the King and plead for the life of the Jews – and this would include revealing that she herself was a Jew.  Such was the protocol of the Palace that anyone pushing their way into the King’s presence without being invited – could be put to death.  Esther had a crucial decision to make, self-preservation, to put her personal safety first, or to act on behalf of others.  This was an action she was the only one who was in a position to undertake.  Esther chose to do what Mordecai requested, declaring, “If I perish, I perish” [Ch.4 v.16]  It is an exciting drama to read, especially the events which followed, but the lesson for us is that there always seems to be at least one pivotal event in everyone’s life, a cross roads as to the destination we decide to aim for, the pathway that beckons us to go down!  Whether we go or not, becomes for us, a decision which is a life changing event. To make NO decision, is itself a decision!  It is a decision to drift along with life with no specific destination in view.  From a spiritual point of view that is what many are doing, refusing to decide whether there is a God or not!  But if they have no time for God – then God will have no time for them – this life is their only future – and how increasingly uncertain is it becoming – and how many will “perish” eternally, because of their failure.