When tough times hit, we need community around us. The account of Esther, in a foreign land amongst the exiled Jews in Susa, a centre of Persian power, is extraordinary. The opportunity created for her through complex circumstances enabled her to not only save the Jews across the 127 provinces from India to Africa, but also offer them new security and a new impetus as they rebuilt Jerusalem, the Temple and their identity as God’s chosen people in Palestine.
Esther was FIT to be not just the queen of Persia, but as an active messenger of the living God.
FIT stands for Faithful, Intentional and Teachable.
We don’t know what circumstances lay ahead for God’s people, the followers of Jesus, especially in this hyper-paced world of connections, communications and technology. But the importance of human contact and community will increase along with their need.
So we will need to be like Esther, FIT for ‘such a time as this’. Ready to speak up in careful and discerning ways, being ‘wise as serpents and innocent as doves’. It’s a slippery tightrope to walk – if Esther had not found the Persian King’s favour, she would have been banished, if not executed. Her family was in the firing line of a particularly nasty character (Haman). One slip could have meant a premature, and ugly end, to these events.
And yet we are to continue to be FIT for service, to build community and relationships, to work on deepening these relationships, and being there for one-another. These are traits of disciples of Jesus, willing to take up our cross daily and follow Him. It’s not a call to wealth or power, but to service and commitment. And for those who receive the fruit of our labour, who find community of welcome, love and growth, it is a true blessing.
God was glorified through Esther’s faithfulness, and she is a potent example of God’s faithfulness to His people in this world – especially in complex circumstances.
Reference: Eugene Peterson “Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work”
Esther was FIT to be not just the queen of Persia, but as an active messenger of the living God.
FIT stands for Faithful, Intentional and Teachable.
We don’t know what circumstances lay ahead for God’s people, the followers of Jesus, especially in this hyper-paced world of connections, communications and technology. But the importance of human contact and community will increase along with their need.
So we will need to be like Esther, FIT for ‘such a time as this’. Ready to speak up in careful and discerning ways, being ‘wise as serpents and innocent as doves’. It’s a slippery tightrope to walk – if Esther had not found the Persian King’s favour, she would have been banished, if not executed. Her family was in the firing line of a particularly nasty character (Haman). One slip could have meant a premature, and ugly end, to these events.
And yet we are to continue to be FIT for service, to build community and relationships, to work on deepening these relationships, and being there for one-another. These are traits of disciples of Jesus, willing to take up our cross daily and follow Him. It’s not a call to wealth or power, but to service and commitment. And for those who receive the fruit of our labour, who find community of welcome, love and growth, it is a true blessing.
God was glorified through Esther’s faithfulness, and she is a potent example of God’s faithfulness to His people in this world – especially in complex circumstances.
Reference: Eugene Peterson “Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work”
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