Not About Me

As we saw in our last blog, the maniacal Haman is dead, hung on the very gallows he prepared for Mordecai. Now, that King Xerxes needs a new chief of staff he asks Esther for advice and she suggests that Mordecai take Haman’s place. Now that Mordecai has all the authority that Haman had, he along with the King and Queen Esther issue another proclamation revoking Haman’s decree. (Esther 8:7-11)

The Jews are delivered from extermination. Let the celebration and song begin!

Mordecai proclaims a new celebration feast known as the feast of Purim. (Esther 9:20-22)  And as a result in seeing the Jew’s deliverance and so much exuberant joy and feasting, “Many people of other nationalities became Jews.” (Esther 8:17)
“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” (Esther 10:3)

All this happened because Mordecai, an exiled Jew from Israel, stepped up and raised Esther as his own daughter after her parents had died. Later, after Esther became Queen of Persia, Mordecai discovers Haman’s heinous plot to annihilate all the Jews of Persia. He knew then it was not by accident why Esther had become Queen. It was not about her, it was about God.

Mordecai adamantly challenged her position of influence, “And who knows that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?”

This was both their divine opportunity to say “Yes” to God and “No” to their security and influence, even if it required their lives. They knew, “It’s not about me!” That was their divine opportunity and now it’s yours.
You are where you are regardless if you want to be. You might not know why, but you are where you are for a reason. You see, your life and mine is part of a bigger story. Even though you never hear God’s name mentioned in Esther’s story, He is in it all over the place. Actually, He’s the main character. It is not any different with you and me.

In their time of exile the Jews were not living in their promised land of Israel. They had no holy city. They had no temple for worship, but God was present! He had not deserted them. Like Esther it might feel like there’s no way God can work in your situation, that He is absent from your circumstances.

But like Esther, He is present behind the scenes and shows up in unexpected ways and times. He is able to save. He shows up in unlikely places, like in a manger, in a garden, on a cross, at your work, in your home, and even in your tears.God is present. He is at work. He can deliver and when He does, he does it so we can worship Him. He is able and He does love you, just look at the cross.
Here are some questions to ask yourself or together with friends:
Like Esther, we all need a Mordecai in our lives. One who is wise. One who believes in us, but also challenges you to be all that you can be for God’s glory.
If you have a Mordecai in your life tell them thanks. Do it today. If you do not have a Mordecai in your life ask God for one and then keep your eyes open.
What about you? Who can you be a Mordecai to?