Esther, Born for Such a Time as ThisSample

It almost seems like a fairytale: a beautiful Jewish girl in a foreign country—chosen over any of the other virgins—wins the heart of King Ahasuerus and becomes queen. Maybe it seems like a dream come true, but when I tried to empathize with Esther’s feelings, the rose-colored glasses came off. She was a young woman in a very long line of young women who lived in the king's court. King Ahasuerus loved her more than any of the other women; but it doesn’t say he loved only her. Esther had to keep her nationality a secret, and she didn’t have a choice when it came to her marriage. Maybe she felt as if she were completely alone, but Esther wasn’t yet aware that God was using her to save His people.

You and I might not be meant for something as big as this, but we do know that the Lord God loves us more than any king would be capable of; we never have to feel like we can’t be ourselves when we’re with Him. And we can trust that He has a plan for our lives, even if we cannot see His ways.

Prayer: Father, thank You that You have a plan for me; that You are at work even if I can’t see it. Help me to trust in You when my life seems to be without direction. Thank You that I can be myself with You, that You have chosen me as Your child without comparing me to others. Amen.