Most of us know the story of Esther, and most of us think she was purposed for a position. But I believe Esther’s commitment to her purpose is why God positioned her. In other words, she wasn’t chasing a position of power, she was just committed to God. And because of that simple faithfulness, God put her in a position he knew she would fulfill no matter the cost.
Let’s look into that in Esther 4:10-17:
Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” So Hathach gave Esther’s message to Mordecai.
Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” So Mordecai went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
Esther had an opportunity to save her people, but there was very real danger involved: death. Her uncle urged her to remember that she would not be spared because of her position, but that she was positioned for a purpose. Mordecai even said that God would use someone else if she could not rise to the occasion.
She could have just let God pass that baton on to someone else, and save her own life. After all, she was already in a position of favor with the king. But instead she prepared for her purpose by fasting. And, as someone fully committed to her purpose, she added, “If I must die, I must die.” In other words, Esther had accepted her calling, no matter the price.
This might look like someone who is brave, but my interpretation of Esther is that she was someone who was fully committed. The bible says in Luke 16:10 that those who are faithful in little, will be faithful with much. I believe God saw this in Esther early on, and therefore put her in a high position as queen, where he could use her. She could have had other goals or desires in life, but she was fully submitted to his will.
Sometimes we believe we have good intentions and we pray for God to position us, but maybe he has not positioned us because he has examined our motivations. Think of the thing you want most in life, now imagine giving that up for God… could you? That’s why we are reminded to seek first the kingdom of God… then everything else will be added to us (Matt. 6:33). Our commitments must be above all and first to God. Don’t get me wrong, I believe God also wants to fulfill our desires. Our walk with God is not one of deprivation, to the contrary He wants to give us a life of abundance! (John 10:10). I also do not believe we must be careless with our lives to follow Christ. However, “whoever wants to save his life will lose it, [and] whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 17:33).
That is exactly what Esther did, she was committed to God no matter the cost to her, much like Abraham. But she wasn’t focused on what she might lose, she fixed her eyes on God and she was focused on her purpose. Sometimes living out our purpose may be difficult. God didn’t put Esther in that position so that she could be easily spared while her people were murdered, he put her there so that she could speak up for her people even if it meant she had to die. But guess what she gained instead. She was gifted all of her enemy’s property, gained favor for her people, and victory over her enemies. It doesn’t stop there. Because of her commitment to her God-given purpose, she affected the positions of those around her as well. Her uncle, Mordecai, was given a high position and fulfilled his own calling.
In other words, our commitment to God and subsequent submission to his calling in our lives may cost us. The price may be our time, funds, expertise, resources, etc. But the body of Christ always benefits, even if it is just one soul gained for Christ. What is the cost for you if you gain life? How are you preparing for the calling God has for you? Are you faithful with the little things? Where has God positioned you? What would it look like for you, specifically, to give something up for the benefit of the body of Christ? Finally, would you give up the thing you want the most in life to accept God’s calling?
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ “ -Matthew 25:23
Letters To A King 