Dec
20
Written by:
Route 365
12/20/2010 5:00 AM
Esther 2:1-18
by Fran Palma
Can you imagine? Or perhaps you don’t have to imagine . . perhaps you have experienced this: you’re living an ordinary life, going about your affairs, then in a flash, with no warning, and by no choice of your own, your whole world changes, never again to be the same. It can be mind numbing, devastating, frightening, maddening. Then this thought comes to mind: God is in control and has a purpose. It is a simple, yet incredibly profound truth. Still though, you wonder what that purpose is, and how long you will have to wait for the purpose to be revealed.
Now think about young Esther, extracted from her ordinary life, separated from the only family she knew (her cousin and father-figure, Mordecai), and thrust into the palace of the king of all places! That may sound exciting if you’re thinking fairy tale. But this was no fairy tale. I imagine it was pretty scary for Esther. Perhaps she felt trapped and longed for life as it was.
Yet, in the midst of this drastic, life-changing event, with no reason or end in sight, Esther demonstrated obedience. Obedience while waiting, while wondering. Esther did not reveal her nationality, as Mordecai instructed her. She also submitted herself to the care of Hegai (the king’s eunuch). Although she could have had anything she desired from the harem, “she asked for nothing other than what Hegai suggested.” The result? Esther found favor with the king and was made queen. I’m guessing that Esther still wondered why and was still experiencing tumult.
I believe that each one of us knows what it means to be challenged to obey the Lord in the midst of waiting and wondering, and that it can be (most likely is) a very painful and lonely process. Esther chose obedience, even though she had not a clue as to what God had in store for her or for her people. I encourage all of us to choose obedience, and to open ourselves up to the marvelous things God has in store for our lives, not the least of which is the unspeakable joy of a heart that belongs to Him.
Your fellow traveler,
Fran
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5 comment(s) so far...
Re: Obedience . . . While Waiting . . . While Wondering
Fran, I thought your reflection was terrific. I applied it to myself, forwarded it to my sister-in-law (who just unfairly lost her job through bureaucratic politics) and took the occasion to pray for Ric. Waiting on God is so hard! But I pass on a short quote from another friend, one who has a terminally ill daughter: "Often easy explanations are offered for things that happen in life; that is the voice of fear, not faith. Faith is actually a way of waiting." Faith is action, but faith is also waiting when the times call for it. Thanks for the blessing of reading your thoughts yesterday.
By Karen Wood on
12/21/2010 9:01 AM
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Re: Obedience . . . While Waiting . . . While Wondering
Karen, thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging comment. I wrote this last December when I was unemployed, and now, one year later, Ric is unemployed. I continue to learn about the "voice of fear", as that is often what I experience when easy explanations are offered. The quote is so accurate. God's thoughts/plans/timing are so far above our realm of understanding that faith is definitely challenged. Blessings this holiday season and for the New Year!
By Fran on
12/21/2010 2:41 PM
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Re: Obedience . . . While Waiting . . . While Wondering
Hi Fran, I know that God has a reason for everything to bring Him glory and show the non-believers He is in charge. Whatever the devil steals from us he must return to us double and when we are trying to please God He makes even our enemies be at peace with us.
I believe as we walk in love and strug off offenses God's victories come more quickly.
Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Merry Christmas.
By Nan Watt visitor on
12/22/2010 6:49 AM
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Re: Obedience . . . While Waiting . . . While Wondering
Fran, I have loved your writing all week. Thank you! I am praying for Ric. Sorry to hear about his lost job and such a bad time of year for that, though I know it is common. Thank you for being a blessing to me. I have a note your wrote to me on a blue card that I keep in my daily Bible (read thru the Bible in 365 days) to help me remember God's faithful in spite of being out of work for an extended period.
I liked your Mitchner quite from today...how true.
By Duane Cook on
12/22/2010 9:55 AM
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Re: Obedience . . . While Waiting . . . While Wondering
Nan, that's right, and the battle is His, not ours - what a relief. Merry Christmas!
Duane, I appreciate your comment and prayers. We continue to pray for you. When I was without work, I received encouraging notes from my church family and wanted to do the same. I will always keep those cards close, as do you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
By Fran on
12/22/2010 5:05 PM
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