The book of Esther doesn’t contain any religious elements, no mention of God, no prayers, no religious practices specifically listed, but it does tell a powerful message of God and teaches us some great lessons on being God’s chosen people.
This book would make a great soap opera or mini-series. It has all the elements necessary- marriage-divorce, search for love, jealousy, desire for power, murderous plots, defeating the enemy, underdog becomes hero.
This book also is an example of a good story. It has great form-plot, parallels and opposites, humor, strong heroes, a big villain. It uses the literary element of irony-weak becoming powerful, those who believe they are strong becoming weak, those who are disenfranchised becoming stronger, having a place-in some ways it is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ ministry. There are literary lessons to be learned, history to be studied and a good story in Esther, but there are also powerful truths in this book that we can talk about and figure out how they can be applied to our lives today.
Probably the best-known verses from Esther are 4:14-Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this. Or 4:16b- If I die, I die. Those last words are Esther’s. What a statement of courage on Esther’s part. But, I think the bigger point is that her courage comes from the fact she realizes she will be acting out of her gifts, out of her calling. God had arranged all elements for Esther to be queen in this time and place, just for this situation. Her courage was in acknowledging and following that call on her life. Call and response is seen throughout the Bible. And daily I think we are called- maybe not in grand ways-like saving our people from death-but God calls us. In Esther, as in other stories and in our lives, there are events and lessons learned that culminate in the ability to make the response. Esther was raised by Mordecai, part of the court. He was able to bring her into the system as such. He had raised her well, taught her. He had seen the gifts she had, even if some of them were superficial, such as outward beauty. They were gifts seen by him and recognized as a gift. That is an important lesson for us-not only that Mordecai was her mentor, her teacher and he knew she was ready, but Mordecai reminded her of her gifts. When we see gifts in someone, when we recognize that someone can make a difference, could possibly be the only one who can affect that change then we need to be ready to tell that person. It is not just a thank you said to that person for something or an offhand statement. It needs to be an honest and clear statement to that person acknowledging an ability and its significance to God’s work in this world.
Another important element here-Esther listened. We don’t always recognize or understand the gifts we have. We often see ourselves as less capable or talented than others see us. We need to listen when another person says, “Jessica, you have such a gift of…..”, “Nicole, your music ministry….” Here comes the big part-----we have to be courageous enough to test that-try out that gift, be ready to use that gift when we are called on to use it.
Because the book of Esther doesn’t mention God by name at all, yet there is definitely a call story in there, I think the message is very clear. Our call can come from people. People who see the gifts, the graces, the abilities, our heart and passion in ways sometimes we can’t. In the story today this same person, Mordecai, sees the situation and asks Esther to act. He reminds her of her call.
Upon hearing our call-whether it is from God or through others, we often have excuses, reasons, not to follow the call. Esther said, “Oh, I can’t-I haven’t been called in to see the king for 30 days.” She had an excuse. I had an excuse before for not going into full-time ministry- I have children, I have a job I need to keep working at, I don’t have money for school-the list was endless. You know it sure can be safer not answering the call. But, serving God is not about being safe. It is about faith and trust.
Serving God is having courage. It is being brave. It means stepping out, moving, doing. When we think of people who have answered God’s call we often think of pastors and missionaries. And we know they often have very interesting stories of being called to serve. But, every one of us is called. Every one of us has a story in us, a story of call and serving.
It’s that time of year for stewardship campaigns, for asking people to plan their giving. How much, how often, to which areas of the church should I give my money? But I also think the stewardship campaign should address our response to call. So many ways to look at it: One, of course is, have we answered our call? Are we using the gifts God has given us? Or have we let opportunities slip by? Did we squander our abilities, our time, our gifts or did we step out, act courageously, bravely and go beyond our own capabilities and step into the zone of faith and trust. Because it is when we have given all we can it is then God can go to work, when we know we were right where God wanted us to be, giving what we were at the time appointed.
Another way to look at it-have we helped grow others? Have we helped others recognize their gifts? We need to be looking at ways in our work life, home life, church life, etc. where we can help others nurture their gifts, grow into their call, provide support and prayer as they questions and answer the call. Mordecai had a very important role in this story. He had raised Esther, had nurtured her, taught her, guided her and knew the gifts she had. He reminded her of her gifts and helped Esther to understand why she needed to act.
God is calling each of us-God has a plan for you, for your gifts. Perhaps you were called for just such a time as this!