The History

"Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying,

All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any person, be it man or woman, who shall go into the inner court to the king without being called shall be put to death; there is but one law for him, except [him] to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live. But I have not been called to come to the king for these thirty days.

And they told Mordecai what Esther said.

Then Mordecai told them to return this answer to Esther, Do not flatter yourself that you shall escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews.

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?"---Esther 4:10-14

The Prayer

"Then Esther told them to give this answer to Mordecai,

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me; and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I also and my maids will fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.

So Mordecai went away and did all that Esther had commanded him."---Esther 4:15-17

The Answer

" On the third day [of the fast] Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the royal or inner court of the king's palace opposite his [throne room]. The king was sitting on his throne, facing the main entrance of the palace.

And when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight, and he held out to [her] the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near and touched the tip of the scepter.

Then the king said to her, What will you have, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of the kingdom."---Esther 5:1-3

The Study

What is the purpose in being called to something that just anyone in their natural strength can do? I mean think about it. There are so many of us who are looking for a mission from God, but then when He places something in our spirit, we are often paralyzed with questions, doubt and fear.

And as if we don't put ourselves through enough internal torment, oftentimes we feel even more pressure from the self-appointed peanut gallery, whether it is our co-workers, church members, spouses, friends or even our family members. Isn't that deep? As much as we desire to walk by faith, oftentimes when our lives require just that, we then require tangible proof before making great moves in our lives.

I was recently in a conversation with someone who was telling me (based on that they know about me) what they thought I should do with my life and how I should go about it. Now as much as I appreciate different insights and point of views, in the area that they were suggesting, I was pretty resolved. After much prayer, I was at peace and those who I knew God gave me to intercede on my behalf were at peace as well. For the most part, in this particular area, God had made my path very clear, but yet, for whatever reason, because it was not clear to this individual, they became very insistent on my doing things "their" way.

Can you imagine how confusing and debilitating our lives would be if we tried to follow the opinions of everyone who has one when it comes to our future and our purpose?

Deeper yet, are you willing to take the responsibility for every time that your "opinion" influenced people to get off of their destined focus? I know, I'm not...anymore.

The GREATER Issue

I have come to realize that when we want people to do things our way, oftentimes, we have the greater deep-rooted issue. It may be a control issue, it may be a tradition issue, it may be a nosey issue, or it may even be a sincere, yet misdirected issue. Perhaps when we told someone what we wanted to do with our lives, we immediately were discouraged by them. Perhaps after finding our calling and purpose, the very individuals who we entrusted to be our mentors, became our competitors. Or perhaps, the people in our lives who are supposed to stand in the gap for us have treated us more like their spiritual science projects than anything else. You know, "Well, you may feel you are supposed to do that, but try this first." Or, "How do you know God told to do this, or move there, or become that? I have never heard or seen anyone do that before."

I am pretty sure these thoughts crossed Esther's mind when her own cousin attempted to discourage her from her mission. Esther knew that she was to free her people and that while it would be difficult, while it would take some keen discernment and strategizing, while it would require great leaps of faith, it was to be done...and she was the one ordained to do it.

Now, I'm sure that Mordecai meant no harm. I mean, he was the one to encourage her to "compete" with the other women in the kingdom for the king's hand in the first place. And although it took some confidence to believe that she could become queen, it did not take much faith. See, other women had become queen before. There was a pattern to follow.

But when it came time to deliver the Jews from Haman's devilish plot, as much as Mordecai may have loved Esther and as much as he may have wanted to have trust in calling and abilities, because it had never been done before, because she was a woman, because she herself was a Jew, he discouraged her, reminding her that if she went to the king, she would perish.

The Calling

But Esther knew her calling. Rather than debating, arguing, getting defensive or explaining to Mordecai why she and God's methods were good enough, she told him how he could help. She instructed him to pray and to encourage all the other Jews to do the same.

What a great lesson we can learn from this example. If there is one thing I am coming to discover the older I get is the fact that no one can make you feel or do anything, whether it be Satan, your parents, your spouse, your friends, your co-worker or your church. See, Esther had a high level of self-esteem and a deep relationship with the Father, which kept her from being fearful in what God was calling her to do, even though there was no apparent pattern to follow.

Oftentimes, we are living an unstable life because for one, we are not sure what are mission, calling or vision is. Therefore, as it says in James 1, we are tossed to and fro like a double-minded person. One person tells you to be a doctor and so you go to medical school. Someone else tells you to become a lawyer and you quit medical school and go law school. Then someone else tells you that you are getting older and so you should be married, and then you quit school all together because you are told that your clock it ticking and you should have some kids. You look up fifteen years later and realize that you always wanted to be a missionary, but someone told you that was not a wise decision.

Let's all learn from Esther's example. Whether we are the ones giving the opinions or receiving them (and if you are honest, you have been on both sides), elect to pray for people, that they will be led in the right direction and that you will play the part THAT GOD ASSIGNS you in their life.

Although it was Esther who received favor from the king, a big part of the reason is because Mordecai and the other Jews fasted and prayed on her behalf. Despite his tradition, despite his opinion, despite his fears, he followed her instruction and prayed. Many of us are to play important roles in the lives of those we care about, but we never take the time to consult the Father on what that role is. Our pride, our experience, our limited perception causes us to to try and fit in somewhere that is often not our place or the right timing.

Because Mordecai had taken care of Esther for quite some time, it would be safe to assume that he was naturally protective of her, but see, she was no longer the little, orphan girl---she was now a focused woman, the queen. Sure, she still needed him, but she needed him differently and now, he needed her more than he ever would've thought.

What If ...

Can you imagine what would have happened if Mordecai had talked Esther into leaving the palace, remaining silent or if he had not gone back to his people to pray? Could God have still freed the Jews? Of course. Would it have been in the way or time that He initially planned? Probably not, because Esther was apart of the initial plan. Mordecai had to trust that he had taught her well and in what he had missed, God would handle. And as God always does, He delivered in a mighty way.

So, where are you as it relates to your mission in life? Are you focused on what God says or what others see? And where are you as it relates to your relationships with others? Are you nurturing their mission or are you causing them to abort it?

Be careful and as my mother says, "Take heed." The only person who is supposed to have total control over anyone's life is God. Let me be the first to say for the times when I have tried to step in His place or allowed others to do the same in my life, "Forgive me."

Many are indeed called, but I want to be chosen...by God.

Shellie R. Warren/2003