Bibledoorajar Ponders: does what we think really matter?

There is one question that is prominent in Esther's story. Did she know something that the rest of us do not? How was she so very effective in her efforts? It seems to me the main point of her story is that she was willing to be changed. First, she was willing to be changed from a simple Jewish girl into a queen. Then, she was willing to SEE herself as a QUEEN. This involved changing her mind. It was necessary for her to think differently--about herself, her family, her people, her king, her enemy and, most importantly, her God.

As the dynamics of Esther's life unfolded, she realized she had a major calling. She had been placed (hidden) in the king's palace in order to defeat an enemy of God's people. As the enemy advanced, her duty to thwart his advancement became increasingly clear to her. She had to change her perspective and she had to do some serious tactical planning. Would she "choose this day whom she would serve" and would she begin to plan her strategy? Yes, she would!!

When I was in graduate school, I took a course on critical thinking. In this course, I learned that critical thinkers do not start with answers; they start with questions. In order to get the best answer, thinkers are encouraged to "think outside the box." That is, thinkers are encouraged to not just give the first easy answer, but to list as many possible answers that come to mind. This tactic, we learned, was called brainstorming. Of course, no one could force us to think like this, storming our minds, taxing them with possibilities. Some recoiled at the brain taxation, but others could see the advantages.

God placed before Esther (and us) commandments replete with possibilities. These commandments require choice, discipline, desire, and a need for tactical thinking. Right thinking will produce wise and holy possibilities. But not everyone pursues such thinking. Esther could have chosen to allow her people to remain in danger of ultimate annihilation. She was free to do so. She was not being pressured by the king. We can choose to leave the widows and orphans without help. We are free to do so. We are not being pressured by the King. However, our choice won't be without a price. God has set before us both blessings and curses. If we use our critical thinking, if we choose wisely and pursue brave godly strategies, we have blessings. If not, we have curses. Curses imply God's back turned away from us. How sad.

Bibledoorajar Considers Associates and Conspirators

In our story of Esther, she found herself with a king who was successfully building a kingdom. At the time of the story, his kingdom extended over 127 provinces. Obviously, the king was hoping that many loyal subjects would be found in his kingdom but he had to be on the watch for those who wished to conspire against him and against that for which he stood. He prided himself on having a good kingdom made up of loyal subjects who served him faithfully. For those, he took joy in seeing that they had the best in order to serve him better. Those who could not serve him faithfully like Vashti, his queen, were banished. But conspirators, like Haman, when found out, were dealt the greatest punishment: death.

In the kingdom of God, knowing Him as the Creator is important but it is not enough. The Holy Spirit is transforming us into becoming loyal associates of the King capable of completing many important tasks. The power to do this is that we are being made like Him.

       "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being TRANSFORMED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY." 2 Cor. 3:18

In the Austin Powers movies, A 1/8 size of Dr. Evil was made. He called him "Mini-'Me" and declared that he was breathtaking. Conspirators like Mini-Me like to disrupt good kingdoms. But those of us who are being transformed into loyal subjects filled with the glory of Christ within, must help break the chains of "Mini-Me" within His kingdom. As the preachers say, our Head has no hands or feet but ours. We can take on Mini-Me with the courage of Esther and Mordecai and if we perish, we perish. But like Paul, our death will be our gain, forever with the Lord. Take courage my friend. We can succeed if we do not veer from the commands of Jesus and from continually reading the Book of instructions (Bible).

Bibledoorajar shares thoughts from Esther for the Church

     We have learned from the book of Esther that it was necessary for her to move from wonderfully made to beautiful and, therefore, very appealing to the king. For Esther, this meant spending a period of time in which she was washed, perfumed and dressed in fine clothing. She had to become obedient and humble before the king. She reached to touch his extended scepter, asking for the king's favor and mercy.
     The church, too, must be washed in the watery grave of baptism and dressed in robes of righteousness. We must smell as a sweet savor before Him. We must humble ourselves and be willing to relinquish our will and the ways of the world in order to please our King.

     It is no good for the church to be clean and "all dressed up with no where to go." We are gaining from God that quality of mind that is renewed toward doing brave things for the sake of the kingdom. We can measure our fear level by the standard Esther used: "If I perish, I perish." We drink the King's wine, and it must be poured out in His service. And here is the clincher. The Bible says this level of activity must be done joyfully. We come to Him joyfully, we allow the Holy Spirit to improve us joyfully, and we defend the faith joyfully. In deed, the Bible says that "the joy of the Lord is our strength." The Holy Spirit protects us while we are away from our King and the Spirit weeps if we are hurt defending Christ's values. He speedily gives us a DOUBLE PORTION of gifts to sustain us in purity before the king. He has great ability. He can take both the good and the evil that happen to us and work them together for a good end if we love Jesus. We can't have better assurance to make the journey with Jesus than that! It is a wonderful thought to realize that He is with us every step of the way.

     In 1942, C. S. Lewis wrote a book called The Screwtape Letters. In this book the dark force, Uncle Screwtape,  comments on the dark forces' arch enemy, God. He writes the following to his nephew:


      "...He cannot 'tempt' to virtue as we do to vice. He wants them to learn to walk and therefore must take away his hand... Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."

Bibledoorajar rejoices over a new decree

    
Esther reminded the king about the decree that Haman persuaded him to put in place. Now the king was responsive to Esther's request and he makes a new decree. The new decree would abolish the old and protect the Jews from death. Never was there such a righteous act done in Shushan and the people rejoiced that their King had done right. Many of the gentiles were in such awe of this decree that they believed in the God of the Jews and accepted His ways.

On the 13th day of Adar, instead of Jews being killed, they killed their enemies, including the ten sons of Haman. It was a time of great victory. Mordecai established an annual remembrance of this great salvation and redemption of God's people. It is observed by observant Jews to this day and is called the Purim Feast.

The arch enemy of God declared that all people should be denied a right to live freely and to be delivered from sin. But our heavenly Father has seen to it that he will not succeed. It took a heavenly Mordecai who appeared "for such a time as this" and, at great price, to make a way for us all to find freedom. Many peoples from all nations have been in such awe of this act that they have believed in the God of the Jews and the One whom He sent to free any who would freely come. Our heavenly Mordecai, Jesus,  established a weekly remembrance of this great salvation and redemption of God's people and it is observed by observant Christians to this day. It is called the Lord's Supper.