Hadassah, also known as Esther, was a young woman without a mother or a father. We don’t know how Esther’s parents died; we only know that Esther was an orphan who had been taken in by her cousin, Mordecai. This family was part of the Jews who had been carried into exile by Nebuchadnezzar. Esther, a young woman without a mother and father. Esther, a foreigner in a land where she now lived. Esther, raised by her cousin. Esther, a woman of hope for herself and her people?
Where was her hope when she was faced with the death of her parents? Where was her hope when she was an alien among the people of the land? Where was her hope as she searched for peace and understanding in a world where she could have found none. But, amidst all of Esther’s pain and trials, there was a plan. And where there is a plan, there IS hope. Did Esther know the plan? No, the Bible does not say that she had any idea the part she would play in the future of her own people as she suffered loss, possible ridicule, and even death. But, God had a plan.
Just as He has a plan for your life, for your future. Who knows the life or lives you will touch before you are called to eternity with God? Only He knows. But, you must be prepared to act! You must be prepared to move, to change, to face uncertainty—to remove fear from your life and accept that your God is a God of BIG things, a God that sees all, knows all, and is in all places!
How can I prepare myself, you ask?
Study His word, converse with Him, pray diligently to Him, BELIEVE!
(Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4)
When Queen Vashti was deposed the king’s attendants suggested that he find a replacement for her. A search went out through the kingdom for beautiful, young virgins. We do not know how Esther was chosen to be among these virgins. Did Mordecai suggest her? Did her neighbor’s mention her beauty to the king’s staff? Did Esther request to be considered herself? No matter the manner in which she made it into the king’s courts, the point is that she made it. God made a way. Did you catch it? GOD made a way and Esther was ready. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear that she would not be chosen (i.e….rejection). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of missing her family (i.e….alignment of priorities). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of failure. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of leaving the life she knew (i.e….change). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear period. She accepted the challenge! Is God challenging you? Does He want to take you somewhere to change lives? Are you willing to go?
Too often we find excuses (like those above) to keep us from our blessings. We moan and groan that we don’t have a purpose in life, that we wish we had a ministry, that we can’t find our place. I wonder how many of those times we are missing out because of our own fears.
Where was her hope when she was faced with the death of her parents? Where was her hope when she was an alien among the people of the land? Where was her hope as she searched for peace and understanding in a world where she could have found none. But, amidst all of Esther’s pain and trials, there was a plan. And where there is a plan, there IS hope. Did Esther know the plan? No, the Bible does not say that she had any idea the part she would play in the future of her own people as she suffered loss, possible ridicule, and even death. But, God had a plan.
Just as He has a plan for your life, for your future. Who knows the life or lives you will touch before you are called to eternity with God? Only He knows. But, you must be prepared to act! You must be prepared to move, to change, to face uncertainty—to remove fear from your life and accept that your God is a God of BIG things, a God that sees all, knows all, and is in all places!
How can I prepare myself, you ask?
Study His word, converse with Him, pray diligently to Him, BELIEVE!
(Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4)
When Queen Vashti was deposed the king’s attendants suggested that he find a replacement for her. A search went out through the kingdom for beautiful, young virgins. We do not know how Esther was chosen to be among these virgins. Did Mordecai suggest her? Did her neighbor’s mention her beauty to the king’s staff? Did Esther request to be considered herself? No matter the manner in which she made it into the king’s courts, the point is that she made it. God made a way. Did you catch it? GOD made a way and Esther was ready. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear that she would not be chosen (i.e….rejection). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of missing her family (i.e….alignment of priorities). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of failure. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of leaving the life she knew (i.e….change). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear period. She accepted the challenge! Is God challenging you? Does He want to take you somewhere to change lives? Are you willing to go?
Too often we find excuses (like those above) to keep us from our blessings. We moan and groan that we don’t have a purpose in life, that we wish we had a ministry, that we can’t find our place. I wonder how many of those times we are missing out because of our own fears.
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