Esther and I (Part 2)

Self-preservation. 

Esther could not imagine how Mordecai could suggest to her to go to the King unsummoned to save her fellow Jews.  The cost is too much.  It could be the end of her.   But then again, what if God gave her the crown as Persia's queen for such a time as this?

Like Esther, I am guilty of self-preservation.  I have felt fear for my own pride and my fleshly concerns.  Why do I have to stand up for what is right?  Why do I have to fight for what I believe in?  The cost is too much.  It could be the end of me.  But then again, what if God placed me where I am right now for such a time as this.

Sometimes it seems unthinkable what we need to do for God's kingdom, but we need to remember that what we have and what we are now are from Him.  He died for us.  That alone deserves not only our attention, but our obedience.  There is nothing we can do that can ever repay what He did for us.  It may seem like we are sacrificing for Him, but what are we sacrificing when we don't really own anything?  When even our lives, He bought with His blood. 

Our existence is not a mere accident in this world that just happened out of nowhere.  We have what we have and we are what we are for a greater purpose; a purpose beyond our desire to secure stability for our lives here on earth or the protection of our comforts; a purpose that is far greater than what we think is important in this world; a purpose that will ultimately bring glory to our Creator.

A purpose like Esther's.  And that is what makes you significant.

Esther and I (Part 1)

Recently, I have been studying the book of Esther along with other women from the "The Eternal Answer (TEA) Party" using Beth Moore's study guide.  Even before we began the study, I was already excited to do it because I love Esther's story.  Who doesn't?  I mean, just imagine an orphaned girl becoming a queen.  Every woman loves stories like that.  But I was in for a surprise.  There was more to Esther's rags to riches story than I thought.  And I love what God is showing me through another lens revealing angles I have never seen before. 

Esther, who lost both of her parents, grew up in the care of her uncle was not exactly free of pain; I bet she wasn't exactly proud of growing up an orphan.  But God chose her. 

"God chose you not  in spite of your history, but because of it."  - Beth Moore

This one hit me hard.  My history is not exactly as simple as growing up with Mama and Papa.  But God chose me.  He chose me not in spite of my history, but because of it.  Wow!...God definitely spoke to my heart through the words of Beth and the story of Esther.  I now see that everything in my life is for a reason.  God is using who I am, what I am, and what I will become to show His mercy, His love, and His glory.   And that my sister is more than comforting to me --- that to me is AWESOME!

I want you to know that if He can use Esther, if He can use somebody like me, then He can definitely use YOU.  Know that He is at work in your life, just wait and see.