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Esther's kind of courageWhen we study about Ester we see a woman full of courage, would we have that kind of courage to stand up against someone as powerful as a King? Ester knew where her help came from. It was not by her own might or wisdom, but by seeking God and allowing him to show her what to do in a most troublesome situation. She was beautiful and up against forces far superior in sheer power and evil purpose. As an enslaved Jew within the Persian Empire, she was conscripted to serve in the king's court. There she found approval with the king, who made her his queen. When the king was convinced to order the extermination of the Jewish captives, she risked much to persuade him to reverse the order. Ester had courage, which is action in spite of risk; it is selflessness for the sake of a larger purpose. It is often extraordinary in scope and effect, but it also happens in small acts of faithfulness and persistence. Courage is knowing that life is not about me and my way alone, but about us in relationship to God's greater purpose. In the face of great evil or harm, courage chooses to do what is right so that life may be preserved and blessed. In these days also, it takes Esther's kind of courage to do the things that are expected by God. There are forces that are at work against us in our time it can hurt and humiliate, discount and devastate, us and those we love. It is far too easy to slip into the crowd of faceless folks who do not challenge others for the sake of the right. It takes courage to raise questions about those who are being ignored, hurt, or cast out by our way of our way of Christian living in this society. It takes courage to ask for change so that others can feel welcome in our faith community, can be blessed by Christ's message, and can be empowered by the Spirit's stirrings. It takes courage to accept the risk of living and loving for the sake of others. This is a real challenge for us to have Ester's kind of courage. Do we stand up to the task, or do we fall short of it? "If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me-that is my petition-and the lives of my people-that is my request." -Esther 7:3 I think if we are to have the courage of Esther we must have a clean heart before God. I've included this music and the lyrics for our spiritual up-lifting. Blessings Marie Music playing: Create In Me A Clean HeartMake me know you, O Lord Image Credit
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