I've thought through the story plot, reading the book again this month, specifically asking myself, "What does a modern-day Esther look like? How might her example of faith apply to me?" And here are my musings:
Being a modern-day Esther may mean...
- Submitting to your authority, doing what you don't want to do, with a heart full of hope, even while it's aching.
- Withholding your full identity or specific request until rapport is established in a relationship. (In a witnessing situation, it may mean not giving the gospel upon first meeting--not every time, but sometimes. In a workplace scenario, it may mean holding your peace until the right time. It's not easy, but sometimes it's what's necessary to accomplish the goal.)
- Fasting and praying, and asking other believers to join you in your beseeching of God for His power and mercy, believing God for a miraculous answer.
- Making a bold presentation, doing the unexpected, breaking the culture's normal formalities--by faith.
- Getting to be a part of something way bigger than yourself that God is going to do on behalf of those who believe in Him.
- Seeing God change the heart of a man in charge, a man of honor.
With hope,
michelle