Esther

I have a new "favorite" in the Bible.  Esther.

 

I've read the book of Esther before.  I've done a Bible study.  I've watched the movie.  I have even watched the Veggie Tales version.  But for some reason, it wasn't until the Sunday before Lent, that her story really jumped out and resonated with me.

 

I can speculate as to the reasons - and there are probably several - but I'm glad it did.

 

Queen Esther was adopted.  She was a Jewish Israeli immigrant who was chosen by a King to be his Queen.  (She also got lots of spa treatments...I need to get in on that!)

 

We are all immigrants and have been adopted by God into His family.  He has chosen each of us to be Princesses (and Princes) of the King.  Because of His love he has adopted us - we are no longer orphans - and because of His love we have hope.

 

And like King Xerxes thought of Esther, God thinks that we are the most beautiful and we have received His grace and favor.

 

We have been given His grace and favor - far more than we could ever earn or deserve.  And because we have been blessed and given much, I believe much is required of us.

 

Esther, like each of us, is being prepared.  She is being prepared for a time when she will be called to step out and take a stand.  To do the difficult thing, because it is the right thing.

 

In Esther 4:14 it says,

"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?”
(emphasis added by me)

 

What is going on in your life that you have been perfectly prepared for? 

 

A friend of mine, Susan DiMickele, has just published her 2nd book (you'll want to check it out!) -  Working Women of the Bible: Timeless Mentors for Modern Women. In her chapter about Esther, she reminds us that, "Esther shows us that imperfect, unexpected, and available women make history." (pg 133)  None of us is perfect.  Far from it.  And God doesn't expect us to be.  But He does ask us to make our lives available to Him.

It isn't going to be easy.  As Susan says, "We live in two worlds and sometimes forget our true identities.  But our identities don't depend on who we are or what we do.  Our identities depend on who God is and what he has done for us." (pg 134)