Free to Rise: Women in God's Storyنموونە

THE ADVOCATE

Esther was an orphan, a minority, a woman who came from humble beginnings. But she was much more than those labels. She became an advocate for her people and helped save an entire generation.

She would have never thought or dreamed of entering the palace of Shushan for it was completely out of reach for a Jew like her. And yet, God placed her there.

After Persian King Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes, disposed Queen Vashti for not obeying his commands, he told his servants to search far and wide for the most beautiful women in the land. This is how Esther was chosen. In the book of Esther, it says “she had a lovely figure and was beautiful.” She was pretty on the outside, but what made her the most beautiful was her character and her deep love for God.

Imagine being taken to a foreign place and not being able to expose your identity, scared what would happen if they found out who you truly were. Not only that, but imagine competing against hundreds of other ladies for the attention of the king. What inspires me about this is that Esther was put in a very odd situation but continually trusted God with the process.

She was also extremely humble. She could have had anything she wanted to make herself more beautiful for the king, but she didn’t. Esther eventually won his favor through her humble spirit as God shined through her.

Once she was chosen to be Queen, I think she would have realized the authority God placed on her life, but she might not have realized God would use her to save her people.

Throughout her time in the palace her cousin Mordecai, who raised her, advised her of many situations, but when he had discovered Haman’s plot to kill all of the Jews it was a game-changer.

Imagine someone high up, with power in government threatening to kill off your whole family. This is exactly what she was going through. But what inspires me about her is that she doesn’t panic. She doesn’t rush and go and tell the king immediately. She doesn’t rely on her own strength but she completely relies on God. She knows she has a huge responsibility to advocate and stand up for her people.

She dealt with this situation in such an inspiring way that we can all learn from. She was so passionate about standing up for her people that she would die for them. Not only is that a sign of great courage and bravery, but also great leadership.

God used Esther, an ordinary woman, blessed with beauty, to do an extraordinary thing. That is exactly what God can do for us. It doesn’t matter what we have been blessed with, whether that is good looks or a great job. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whether you are the lowest in society or the wealthiest - God can use you.

So, stand up for what you believe in, fight for what is right and give yourself 100% to God. We just have to be willing to draw from God’s strength -- just like Esther did.

By Grace Stanton, Communications Specialist at Tearfund New Zealand