Having Courage Like Esther For The New Year + GIVEAWAY

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

This passage has become a favorite for Christian women – I see it circulating on Instagram and Pinterest, and it is indeed beautiful.

In the drama we know as the book of Esther, we witness a woman challenged to be bold, to step up on behalf of her people and her God. Her cause was noble and a matter of life or death.

This question from Esther’s uncle Mordecai highlights God’s sovereignty – making us wonder with him at how God organizes moment by moment, opportunity by opportunity, responsibility by responsibility, to bring about His purpose. By shaping her beauty, giving her favor in the royal courts, and sending her such critical knowledge, Esther was in a pivotal position because the Lord placed her there.

With the inspirational notes of this scene, I find myself stirred – and if I allow it – sinfully disappointed. The verse can almost seem too melodramatic if I try to apply it.

When pride has its way, I catch this verse on social media and my flesh speaks a lie: “What are you doing of importance? You are far from being the heroine of any story. This verse, while nice sounding, doesn’t apply to your ordinary life.”

So what changes my perspective every time? Looking away from myself.

Taking these thoughts captive, I shake the lie and place my focus back on God’s sovereignty – that everything is under His reign. From the smallest speckle of dust to the diplomacy of nations, nothing falls away from His power. He knows every person and every path, creating good and allowing evil until the ultimate day of Judgement.

With His majesty in mind, Esther is merely His servant, and I am too.

As Mordecai says earlier in the verse, the fate of the Jews was never in Esther’s hands, but only in God’s. What was on the line was her family, her “father’s house.”

Esther’s duty was to follow conviction, trust her God, and walk in obedience, faithful with what God entrusted to her. Those are my duties as well – as a wife and mother in the suburbia of America.

Though two women in two very different places, we both serve Someone greater than ourselves. And from meditating on this Scripture, I realize it is not about the glamour of what I am doing, but that God has me doing it.

It is not about the glamour of what we are doing, but that God has us doing it. Share on X

That in itself is enough. If He has me here, in this specific home, with my husband and little ones, it is by His blessed wisdom and authority. There’s no room for discontentment with such a high, God-directed calling. No matter where I am, eternal souls are at stake. I can serve Him.

What else?

Esther had to die to self, to surrender her life to go before the king, and we as wives and moms must do the same – die to self as we change diapers, surrender our life of worldly ambitions and accolades for something far greater, the discipleship of the next generation.

How do we muster the courage to live in such a way?

Remember: Esther’s courage was not in herself, but in seeing the worthiness of God and His people. 

We may not hold her title of queen, but through faith we walk in the royal robes of Christ with the same important calling – to proclaim His Name in all we do.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

As you look to start fresh this year, see it as God’s invitation to declare His excellence. Who knows what the Lord will do in 2018? Whatever happens, the calling remains the same – to be his humble, worshipful daughter.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

You were born for a time such as this – this generation, this decade, this year. Why? To walk in good works as a new creation in Christ. To give hope and speak justice and live righteously as His servant. In this way, you were born to give Him glory.

In this way, you show courage.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

To celebrate another year of God’s grace I’m giving away a beautiful 2018 Illustrated Faith Planner, and its cover says Esther 4:14. I hope it can remind you to live for His glory everyday!

This giveaway has closed – congrats to our winner Jessica S!

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