On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.........Psalm 138:3
And if I die.. I die!
These infamous words of Queen Esther (Esther 4:15) are quite appropriate for the Christian life the Master has called us to live. She was willing to risk all for the benefit of the Jewish people. What are we willing to risk for the benefit of the Kingdom?
We took 16 women and a baby up to the Prescott Pines for a very inspirational retreat. God weaved together the design for this camp as only He can do and many of the women contributed their amazing gifts and talents that showed the handiwork of God to all who attended. We talked about the storms and trials of life. Sometimes we need to toss a few things overboard to make for a lighter load during times of turbulence. We shared how Queen Esther faced the fear of death and staring it in the face, moved forward in spite of the risks. What did she cast overboard in her storm? For one thing, she threw away a three day supply of food! She fasted for three days and when you are living in a palace day in and day out with maids and servants at your fingertips, bustling about to meet your every whim, that can be quite a sacrifice. She also cast away the fear of rejection and death! After fasting with her maidens, she gained the courage to do what she was destined to do from her birth. I am not quite sure she was feeling the whole destiny thing when she entered the inner court of the palace with trembling fingers begging to feel the tip of an outstretched scepter. I am not convinced that she felt terribly confident or hopeful at the time, that her plans to expose the deceitful Haman at a banquet, were the exact design called for by the Master. We have the privilege of looking forward and backward and seeing the marvelous threads of destiny weaved together by a God of justice who can right every wrong and arrange the most amazing of coincidences in favor of those who least expect it but desperately need it. Aren't you blessed that our King is so readily available when we face the storms of life? We need not tremble and fear as His royal scepter is always within reach and beckoning us to come closer to His Holy place.
