God’s way

Esther 4:12-17
Esther 6:14-8:2
Genesis 45:4-11
John 12:23-32
Romans 5:6-8

It’s inevitable, really. About a year into a new, full-time job, and I start getting antsy. As soon as I have my feet on the ground and start feeling comfortable,
I begin feeling, well… uncomfortable.

I want more.
I want to be challenged and grow and learn more. I want to do something that brings about a real difference, making me excited to wake up and get out of bed.

Plus, I get frustrated.
Frustrated with my situation.
Frustrated with myself for my inability to be content.
If I’m honest, I’m even frustrated with God for not paving a golden highway towards a meaningful, fulfilling job that fuels my passions.

We have seen throughout this Journey Theme, that step by step, Esther chose honor as she acted wisely. From the moment she was brought to the King’s palace, she chose honor and lived out wisdom. She showed discretion in not revealing her faith or Jewish heritage and chose just the right moment to intercede on behalf of her people before King Xerxes. She didn’t see what the Lord was preparing her to do, in fact there were times she could have lost her life, but consistently, she took the next best step as she honored the Lord, her faith, her family, and her people.

Mordecai did the same. He chose to honor the Lord above men. He refused cultural pressures to bow down to anyone but the One True God. He neither demanded nor expected honor and elevated position, instead he waited patiently for God’s timing and His plans. Mordecai chose eternal reward over earthly gain.

Scripture does not once mention either Esther or Mordecai rolling their eyes, crossing their arms, or stomping their feet, but we see plenty of it coming from Haman, a man who loved himself the most. For Mordecai and Esther, their disciplined practice of choosing God’s ways and wisdom over their own won out every time. Oh to be as humble!

Cast among the players of a people who had largely forgotten about God, Mordecai and Esther obediently honored God by using their positions wisely and trusting Him with the details of redemption. While they weren’t people without flaws (sound like anyone you know?), God still chose to use them and their circumstances to further His Kingdom and rescue a people.
Their intentional daily steps led to a shake-up of culture around them and ultimately, justice and mercy for their persecuted people.

God even brings His perfectly timed justice through the downfall and death of Haman and his sinful choices. After realizing Haman was responsible for the impending destruction of Esther’s people (the Jews), King Xerxes executed him. Through Haman’s death, justice was served and the way was paved for redemption of God’s chosen people.

We see God consistently doing this kind of radical redemption as He sovereignly weaves together His story all throughout Scripture. Before Esther, Joseph is put through the ringer after being sold into slavery by his brothers, imprisoned, and all but sentenced to death. In wisdom and goodness, God placed Joseph in the perfect place at the perfect time to use his gifts as he saved a nation, rescued his family, and redemption was  unleashed.

Then, there’s Jesus, our precious Savior. The pinnacle of God’s story to bring justice to sin, redemption for all people, and honor to His name.

I was brought to tears when reading through these verses from John 12:27-28
“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?
No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Jesus knew He would die.
He knew His death would involve intense suffering and painful separation from God the Father. He even knew the putrid details of all my sin and yours. Yet, He chose to honor His Father above all else in order to bring justice with death and resurrection.

I don’t think my discontentment with my job will go away.
And even if it does, discontentment about something else will take its place.

I believe my restlessness is part of how God designed me to want more than what this world has to offer, to not be complacent, and long to bring my God honor and glorify the name of Jesus.

I will remember that God has placed me right where I am for this hour.
For such a time and place as this, because my God loves to redeem, and He uses His people to do that great work!

Where has God placed you?
How can you honor Him where you are?
What is your next right step in obedience?

Lord, you went before me and prepared the way for me. It is so clear to me how you have prepared my heart and my circumstances along the way to prepare me for such a time as this. Help me to honor you each step of the way.

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