What Will They Think?Chikamu

What Will They Think If I Speak Up?

In my younger twenties, I was scared of what others would think about me, so I lied about many parts of me. I pretended to be anyone but my true self. But when you’re projecting lies about yourself, how can truth enter your heart? If you aren’t even confident in the little things about yourself, how can you find confidence in the reason you were created?

• Think of all the times you chose fitting in over walking in boldness.
• Think of all the times you tried to save face and not save others.
• Think of all the times you worried what others would think, so you avoided responding with truth.

We’ve all done this.

But in the Bible, we see that Esther chose boldness. Esther was a young Jewish woman who became queen of Persia and learned of an evil plot to kill the Jewish people. Her cousin Mordecai told her, “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Est. 4:14).

Esther risked not being liked and even not being alive to stand for truth. But she followed what she was called to do. Because Esther spoke up and stood firm in her faith, she ended up saving her people.

If there is anything we can learn from Esther, it is that we were not called to be who others want us to be. We don’t have to conform to the roles others wish we would play. We can speak up, and when we do, we will find more purpose than we would by being silent.

We are all given the opportunity Esther was given: to live out God’s purpose for us. But to do this, we have to risk not being liked. Contrary to what the world says, we are not meant to please everyone; we are called to be bold and point to the One who can save the hearts of everyone.

Lord, I don’t want to be so worried about what people will think that I neglect Your calling on my life. Help me be like Esther and speak up for truth as I point people to You. Amen.