Blessings Through Trust - A Deeper Dive
scripture: Esther 4:9-14
message recap
This week’s scripture reading comes from the middle of the Book of Esther, so we probably should begin with some context. The Book of Esther takes place in the Persian empire during the reign of King Xerxes I. It tells the story of a Jewish girl named Esther, who becomes a Persian queen and ultimately saves her people from annihilation. The story begins with King Xerxes dismissing his current queen, Vashti, for disobedience, leading to a search for a new queen. An orphan Jewish girl raised by her cousin, Mordecai, is chosen because of her beauty and grace. However, her Jewish identity is kept a secret from everybody. Meanwhile, Mordecai uncovers a plot to assassinate the king, which he foils, saving the king's life. This act of loyalty is recorded in the royal chronicles but goes essentially unnoticed by the king.
The narrative then introduces Haman, an arrogant advisor to the king. He's enraged when Mordecai refuses to bow to him. Doing so would violate Mordecai’s Jewish beliefs. So, discovering Mordecai's Jewish identity, Haman tricks the king into issuing a decree for the destruction of all Jews throughout the entire empire. Mordecai informs Esther of the plan, urging her to use her influence to save her people despite the risk to her own life. As we heard in this week’s reading, anyone, the queen included, who approaches the king without being invited could face a death sentence. Esther decides to act and invites the king and Haman to a banquet. During the banquet, she reveals her Jewish identity and Haman's plot to annihilate her people. The king, enraged both by the deception and the threat to Esther’s people, orders Haman to be executed on the very gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai. In recognition of God’s intervention through Esther, the festival of Purim was started and continues to be celebrated by the Jewish people today.
The fact that a young Jewish girl (Esther) becomes queen of Persia is remarkable in and of itself. But becoming queen wasn’t by Esther’s own design. Her rise to queen resulted from the divine orchestration of many events that, at the time, may have seemed entirely unrelated. Like Esther, many of us go through life events we don’t fully understand. We question how they can fit together until that moment in time when things suddenly become clear. We immediately better understand why the events occurred, and our purpose or calling is evident. It shows us how and why the events we previously didn’t understand prepared us for what we must do. Our calling results from having been prepared through experiences and challenges we’ve faced throughout our lives.
God is preparing us for a chance to make a difference in the kingdom through every chapter of our lives, whether we know it or not. This does not mean that if we don’t answer the call, God’s plan will fail. God’s plans are bigger than us. It simply means that we wouldn’t be doing our part as expected, possibly at our own expense. God’s goal will be completed - you can count on that. The details may end up slightly different from the initial plan, but overall, God’s plan will come to pass. Just as Mordecai told Esther,
“14 ‘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 your royal position for such a time as this?’”
He is telling Esther that if she doesn’t step up, God will send someone else, and God’s plan will prevail.
Esther's preparation for her defining moment wasn't obvious to anyone, including her. Like Esther, we may not see how our daily lives, filled with struggles and joys, prepare us for God's purpose. The skills we’ve developed, the challenges we’ve faced, and the position we find ourselves in might not be random. Perhaps God's preparing each of us using our experiences and situations, whether it was his idea, our idea, or something seemingly random. God is using them to prepare us for our moment to shine and make a difference in the kingdom.
Esther’s call was not without risk. Revealing her true identity and approaching the king uninvited were certainly cause for punishment, even death. Yet her faith in God and her realization that God had prepared her for this moment gave her the courage to act. God calls all of us, at some point in our lives, to step out in faith even when the risks seem high. Like Esther, we will find ourselves able to do good and stand up for what’s right to make a difference in the kingdom. The question isn’t whether that time is going to come. It’s whether we will be ready and willing to step up.
Esther also had patience and faith in God’s timing. She understood that being prepared by God also meant being deliberate with her actions. Sometimes, we are all quick to act, focusing on our timeframe, not God’s. Esther’s story reminds us to pray, wait, and trust God. Even though our timing may differ, God’s is always perfect.
Looking at Esther, we can recognize that such a time can be a temporary assignment. Her role in saving her people was pivotal in that moment. We don’t know what happened to Esther after the events described, and therein lies an important lesson. Our current calling might be one of many, and it might be for a specific season or purpose. Once that purpose is fulfilled, we may find that our roles shift. And when that happens, it might be sad, but at the same time, it allows others to step up and answer their call.
There is an opportunity for everybody to be involved in the kingdom. God’s plan for his kingdom constantly moves and allows others to step up. Every act of service and role we’re given is part of a larger tapestry woven together by God. We have talked about ripple effects quite a few times this year. Things are happening so far away from us that there’s no way to even comprehend the impact we can have. So many things are happening that create this incredibly intricate plan of redemption for this world that God loves so much.
We can't know all of the different events that need to transpire and the timing to get to where God's plan is. But, like Esther, we're called to trust God, to trust God's timing, to trust God's plan, and to serve faithfully in whatever roles we’re given. In essence, our journey of faith and purpose is not about us. It's about the kingdom. It's about Ocoee Oaks impacting the kingdom. And it’s about us being willing to serve for times such as this. Whatever, wherever, and for however long that may be. Let's not hold on too tightly to the roles we’re given or the spots God puts us in. If we hold on too tightly, we might not recognize when God is ready to move us to something else. Let’s always be prepared to serve in whatever capacity we’re needed. And let’s also be willing to step aside when this particular assignment and our part in God’s story has been completed. We must continue to trust in him as he works through us and others to advance his kingdom in his time.
Prepared for a Time Such as This
If you were in worship on Sunday morning or if the news Pastor Don shared has reached you, there’s no doubt you might have questions or even feel some sadness. In the life of a United Methodist Church, pastors move around. That’s just a fact. But just because it’s a “normal” occurrence doesn’t necessarily soften the blow.
So, the simple truth is that Don will no longer be the Pastor of Ocoee Oaks on July 1, and we’ll welcome someone new. The story of Esther is such a perfect teaching lesson for this time in the life of Ocoee Oaks. Don outlined many things that have prepared us to move in a new direction. Sometimes, the difficult decisions may not have made sense or seemed unrelated to our goal of loving God and loving people. But as Don pointed out in his message, we may not fully comprehend the reasons until God’s plan becomes clear.
While we tend to our sorrow for the change we may not have anticipated, let’s have confidence that like Esther, we’re prepared for a time such as this. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we each have a role to play in building God’s kingdom, regardless of who assumes the role of Senior Pastor.