Day 36
Esther
The book of Esther inspires me as an "Autism Advocate." Sometimes as an advocate I picture myself as a super-hero waving my sword of justice saving the world, (or my wee little part of it) from discrimination. I pale in comparison to so many -- but by each of us waving our swords however we can, we collectively do make a difference for a community, just as Esther did.
Hopefully as grand as Esther did! She saved the Jews from an empirewide holocaust!
I hope to accomplish a fraction of that!
Esther reminds me of how God accomplishes his purposes just as easily through coincidences as he does through great miracles of deliverance; and that though he sometimes works behind the scenes, he is always very much in control.
The key to us realizing that, as Christians, as Advocates, as whoever we are -- is having the brave willingness to put our lives on the line in approaching others with our convictions.
I think politicians should read Esther. Especially Esther 4:12-16 which says, "Do not think that because 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. Andwho knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther goes on to say, "....I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
I love that.
How much better our Nation would be if elected officials had that attitude. "I will go against the flow and do what is right, and if I don't get re-elected, I don't get re-elected..."
I love that scripture and I love the attitude behind it.
I will do what's right and if I lose, I lose.
I will do what's right and if I'm kicked out of the in-crowd, I'm kicked out of the in-crowd.
I will stand up to those who discriminate against those with disabilities and if I'm mocked, I'm mocked.
I will proclaim Christ as Lord and if I'm beaten or killed for that, then I'm beaten and killed for that.
How far would you go in that verse?
I think the world could use a few more of us going farther than we have been in righting so very many wrongs that are occurring.
Even in the "doing" if we're not totally sure what we're doing -- we can rest assured that God does know what he's doing! There is always more going on than meets the eye and more in the works than any of us understand or can possibly be aware of.
We've just got to be obedient and DO!
Esther leaves us with the knowledge that God's control cannot be calculated. God's solution cannot be anticipated. God's plans cannot be thwarted.
God's hand shapes our life.
And shapes it well if we would just be a willing vessel.
