Hello Princesses!
13 Mordecai told the messenger to reply to Esther, “Don’t think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king’s palace. 14 If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.”
(Esther 4:13-14)
Perhaps the previous and commonly known sayings can cause us to ponder? Ponder for a few seconds, minutes, hours, days or years. Ponder what, you ask? Well, I don’t read the paper that much or watch the news. I guess my viewership declined as I continued to see more sorrow than joy and more hate than peace. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still keep track of events, but my longing for the “every minute” has just subsided. Hourly, daily and weekly events of our nation have shaken us a country and a world.
In some respects, our responses may be similar to that of the citizens of Susa; confused and perplexed (Esther 3:15) As I reflect on the events of this past weekend, this past week, all that comes to mind is an overwhelming feeling of hurt, pain, sadness.
In thinking about the classic verse in Esther 4:13-14, who knows, perhaps as Christian princesses and princes, we have come into our various positions for such a time as this. Just maybe God wants to use us to liberate. Perhaps God has called you and me to come out of our comfort pod and to be the salt and light of this world today, for this time.
Could there be additional parallels in the book of Esther with today’s time?
Most definitely! A section to list on your PURIM, but one strikingly parallel is how upon receiving the decree the Jews in Susa and surrounding regions in Persia were brought together (and yes, they were celebrating Passover). The actions of Haman set into motion the waking of a force that had been quieted and asleep for some time in the Jewish people. You see, they had gotten comfortable living in Persia. Yes, they were following the practices as prescribed in the Torah, but their efforts and actions were not aligned, in other words, they had forgotten. If anything, Haman’s lot/King Xerxes' decree was a ringing of the bell, an awakening in the Jewish people the sleeping giant of hope!
Interestingly, perhaps our climate today is similar to that in the days of Esther. Maybe, just maybe our bell ringing will be the events of this world, country, state, and city that will cause us all to come together. Coming together to act, to fast, to pray, to hope, to witness, to love and spread God’s good news. Maybe, who knows, for such a time as this.
See you at GO! Online
Online- Chapter 4
October 30, 2018
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Meeting ID: 649 213 29
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Oh, princesses of faith...remember
Prayer “empowers and ‘charges up’ every other piece so they can be used effectively against the enemy. Without prayer… your armor, cannot, will not, be infused with the power that only God’s-Spirit can give."
Closing Thoughts-
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
· do things you couldn't;
· feel things you didn't; and
· know things you wouldn't.
GO! PLAYLIST...For your praise and worship:
GO! 10/29/18- New feature, contains a playlist of songs and Books of the Bible (from Bible Project) for your praise and worship time.
Housekeeping:
· Please tell a friend. There's still time to join in!
· See you at GO! November 6, 2018, Stark Library - Innovation Center - 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm
· THIS WEEK Fall/Winter GO! Session 8 ~ Esther, It's Hard Being A Women
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve and GO!