“For a time such as this…”

The book of Esther is a difficult one, but it is important.  It speaks of power! There is personal power, royal power, and providential power.  It is a book that can be difficult to discuss with children and anyone who has been voiceless; however, it is not a book exhaulting the victim.  Esther is not a submissive girl who gives up.  She has inner strength and power.  She lives her life and draws on her community.  When the time comes, she uses her wisdom to be a vessel for the will of God.  Her uncle tells her, “perhaps you have been made royal for a time such as this.” 

We often skip the “royal,” in our attempt to make the message universal.  However, we forget that we are children of "the king of all creation" and therefore “royal.” 

I cannot help wondering how the Rev. Becca Stevens hears the book of Esther? Rev. Stevens works with women who have been commercialized and abused.  She teaches that "#LoveHeals."  She teaches this with her pulpit, her hands, her heart, and her time.  She invites others into her work prayerfully, practically, and purposefully.  Some people volunteer with Thistle Farms.  Some people buy Rev. Stevens' books.  Some of us light a Thistle Farm Candle and pray for the men and women who work so hard to remember that they are royal.  

What does it mean for us to remember we are royal? What does it mean for us to be children of the king of love?  What are our responsibilities? How should we live?  

Esther is a book about an exile who is orphaned. She is put into an impossible position of vulnerability, and yet when she sees an opportunity to act for justice—she takes it for herself, her family, and her nation. Esther 4:14 is longer than that well known phrase, "Perhaps you were made royal for a time such as this." It begins with,  "For if you keep silence at such a time as this..." Silence and failure to take  the opportunity to act for justice will hurt Esther and her family. It does not prevent God's will, but she will fail herself.  "...Relief and deliverance will rise..."  Esther has been given "dignity" which is greatness or "honor." This has been given to her.  Esther lives into this gift by using it to bring relief and deliverance to herself, to her family, and to her world. 

Esther remembers whose she is and uses her voice to speak truth for justice.  Our 45Degrees kids used their hands to pack food for their hungry peers…they used their hands to pack snack backpacks for justice.  This coming Sunday, our children and church will use footballs with coins and cans of soup to reach out for justice through the Souper Bowl of Caring! 

Every week Sunday School teachers show up to remind children that they are royal…children of the king of love.  Every week, they gather to speak truth and to help children learn that they can make a difference in their family-school-church-world. Every week, they gather and pray for the children and each other—all of those given into their care by God. They do this as children of the king of all creation “for (they) were created royal for a time such as this.”  How will we live as children of the king?