Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Esther 4:13-14

[Mordecai] sent back this answer:  "Do not think that becaue you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape.  For 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 royal position for such a time as this?"

I love Mordecai.  He was so wise and well-spoken.  Mordecai's cousin, Queen Esther, has to confront her husband regarding a law that will result in the annihilation of all the Jews in Persia.  However, in going to the king, Esther will be putting her own life at great risk.  And so Mordecai delivers this pep talk.

Although our situations may be different, God still calls us to do hard things.  Perhaps He's calling you to adopt a child, or to take an aging parent or grandparent into your home.  Maybe He's asking you to give financially beyond what your budget allows.  It could be He wants you to head up the PTA, or to attend church alone because your husband refuses to go.  He might be leading you away from present comforts to a place on the mission field.  Maybe He wants you to go and welcome the new neighbor.  Or maybe He wants you to befriend that neighbor, the one with the wild children and the lawn that hasn't been mowed since May.

Whatever it is, God wants to stretch you.  He wants to pull you out of your comfort zone and shape you in the image of Christ.  Will it be easy?  No.  Will the path be free of obstacles?  Probably not.  Will God go with you?  Every step of the way.

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