Such A Time As This

I like to start with the end in mind. I am a teacher at heart, and so when I speak or share content in writing, I try to share thoughts and provide a reference so listeners/readers can go home and do some homework. Teaching without assigning homework is a waste of all our time. In the book titled 7 habits of highly effective people, Steven Covey teaches of starting with the end in mind as habit number 2. And so, for today, what's the end?

It is 2 things:

1. I want you to remember only 1 thing from this half-hour, don't try to remember 4 or 5; focus on 1 thing. Here's book #2 for reference. Gary Keller and Jay Papasan speak to the value of one thing in their book titled "The One Thing." The idea is that if you focus on one thing and let everything you do align accordingly to that one thing, you will achieve success.

2. The second take-a-way is asking for 1 action. What one thing will you do based on the 1 thing you remember.

So let's go into this discussion with those 2 things in mind. One thing to remember, and one thing to do!

The Book of Esther is a beautiful read. There are many great stories about extraordinary women who have done great things in the bible, but I enjoy the book of Esther as it presents multiple characters and many lessons to learn.

Here's the cliff note version. There are 4 main characters, Esther, King of Persia, Mordecai (Esther's uncle), and Haman.

So the King of Persia had a feast for over 180 days, got drunk deeply, and asked his wife, a classy lady, to dance and parade herself before his guests. As a babe, she refuses. He gets mad, throws a tantrum, and dethrones her at the advice of his advisors.

He then calls a beauty pageant to replace her. Esther wisens up, hides her Jewish identity, enters, and wins. She becomes the queen.

At the same time, Mordecai, her uncle, hears of 2 men plotting a coup against the King, reports it to Esther; she tells the King, they hang the guys that were planning the King's demise, and it was recorded in the King's chronicles that Mordecai did this.

Stage left enters Haman, a man's man. Guy of all guys, who thinks he's deputy king. He gets promoted but doesn't like Jews. Plots against them and convinces the King to order a decree for their demise, the King signs the law, trusting his loyal advisor (not knowing his queen is a Jew).

Mordecai then hears about the plot to destroy the Jews; he goes to Esther and pleads with her. Read Esther 4:13-14.

Back to our story. So Esther prepares a banquet for the King and Haman, gets them feeling good, and asks for a rendezvous for a follow-up session/ask.

Haman leaves and runs into Mordecai, but Mordecai had contempt for him; not fearing Haman, Haman was pissed. So Haman goes home, talks to his wife and friends, and they say to him- order a gallows be built so you can hang Mordecai on it.

Now read chapter 6 of the book of Esther.

Mordecai who was to be hung was now celebrated by his hater, Haman, who wanted to kill him. May your haters celebrate you. May you be remembered for good. May the book of chronicles be opened to showcase your good works, and may your reward be bigger than earthly celebrations as well, amen.

Now, in Chapter 7, Esther has the follow-up banquet, where she discloses her true identity. Lays her life on the line. Because she found favor with the King, Haman was the one that was hung on the gallow he built for Mordecai. Chapter 8 tells us how a plan was developed to allow the Jews to defend themselves since the King's decree cannot be reversed. And in chapters 9-10, the Jews destroy their enemies, and a celebration is put together in honor of Mordecai.

Such a beautiful story.

Seven Lessons to Learn.

1. Your past does not dictate your future. Esther came from nothing to queen status. Chapter 1 tells us this.

2. Your talents, gifts, and skills will open doors for you. Read Proverbs 18:16. Esther's beauty brought her to the palace. Yours doesn't have to be beautiful; it could be brains; it could be your cooking skills, artistic tendencies, ability to sing songs, write books. Own your talent and fearlessly use it to advance yourself and your family; God approves of it.

3. Do good that you may be remembered for good. Mordecai saved the King and was recognized for good. Esther 2:19-23

4. You were made for such a time as this! And not only for your own satisfaction but also for the favor of others. Esther 4:14.

5. With God's help, you can step out in faith and fight your fears! In chapter 4 of The Book of Esther, when going back and forth with her uncle, Mordecai, we read of Esther initially being scared but later realized that they could overcome the obstacle with prayer and fasting, receiving God's help.

6. Embrace the advice of elders and those before you. Find a mentor, a coach, someone who can encourage you, challenge you, and push you to do more than what you've achieved so far. I am happy to help in this area, if needed, in the area of coaching. Esther found counsel in her uncle Mordecai in chapter 4.

7. For such a time as this, know that you can make an impact for generations to come! The survival of The Jews, yet again, prepared the path for the lineage of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
   

Best wishes,

L.B.