The Book of Esther From My Perspective

In the Book of Esther, God is never mentioned. It is almost as if He is absent. I don’t know about you, but I’ve lived through many seasons where I have felt this exact same way. Wondering where God is in my story. It can feel pretty hopeless. But though a situation may feel hopeless, God is never helpless. 

Let’s look a little at Esther’s story.

Esther was a Jewish orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai in Persia (Esth. 2:7).
 
King Ahasuerus was in search of a new queen and Esther was brought to the palace among other young virgins (Esth. 2:2-4).

Esther found favor with King Ahasuerus. “The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he sat the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (Esth. 2:17 NKJV). 

Now, Esther is a Jewess turned queen.
 
Esther must be living the dream. However, she has left her only family (Mordecai). She has to keep her identity a secret. And she risks execution by the king whenever she approaches him on behalf of her people (Esth. 4:11).
 
This doesn’t exactly sound like a Disney Princess movie. To me, it sounds pretty scary. 

Can you remember a time in your life when God called you to a place that felt like this? Scary and maybe even lonely? Wondering where God was in the midst of your chaos? 

I have lived in many places throughout my life. Different states and cities - and often times, with different people. People frequently comment on how “lucky” I am to have experienced life outside of Mason County. And while that is true, it hasn’t always been the easiest.
 
My first big move came when I was ten years old. After that, we moved four times.
 
It may sound adventurous and fun…but really, it was often lonely. (I adjusted. It wasn’t all bad.) I have experienced abuse. I became easily unattached to people, things, and places. Most of my life, I felt I didn’t truly have a home. And I felt abandoned by both people and God.
 
This was my Susa. God strategically placed me in all of those cities. I wasn’t just thrown around aimlessly, though I often felt that way. He placed me there for a purpose. 

Here’s the thing: your situation may not be ideal. Maybe you feel like Esther preparing to approach King Ahasuerus.
 
“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esth. 4:14 NKJV).

​But perhaps you have been brought to this very place to reach people in a way that only you can. 

Be encouraged. God has a purpose in your season.

​- Jordy