Perhaps at some time in your life, you were able to watch one of the many beauty contests, as women from all over the world would compete. The best of the best had a good chance of winning, but they must be beautiful and stand out in different fashions as well as carry traits of kindness, talent, intelligence, and community involvement. This made sense because helping others would be part of their purpose should they be awarded the title with the crown.
However, just like everything else in this day and age, contests of this nature often had many controversies with mayhem – regardless of their beauty or talent. In most cases, the results were contingent upon each woman’s background. It was imperative that each candidate came from a popular, and honorable family. If this was not the case she would be disqualified, but if she met the requirements then she could walk away with one of the highest honors for her state, country or even the world.
The Bible mentions one woman who became part of such a contest. Esther was very young and beautiful and the beauty contest she somewhat entered was to replace the last Queen of Persia. Yet, Esther did not come from the kind of family or people who were popular, much less, “honorable”. In fact, most would have thought she was invisible and her people were invisible also. Until, she was chosen to take part in a selection process to compete alongside many women, more qualified than herself.
Tucked inside this story, the reader will see in all ten chapters, an unfolding of an incredible amazing story seemingly like a “fairytale” or that of a dream. Oh, but this is better than any fairytale because it is a true story and just like the best stories, the Book of Esther does not disappoint. Rather, it is packed with much excitement, romance, intrigue, danger, villains, heroes – and it provides a wonderful happy ending. Believe me, you won’t be too far into your reading before you find yourself on the edge of your seat – cheering for some and jeering for others.
Still, one of the best parts of the whole story is found in the first part of the following KEY verse, when a challenge is issued to Esther and she now must make a life-or-death decision to take a stand.
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish.
Esther 4:14a
Out of all the proclamations mentioned in the entirety of this Book, this one was the most urgent! For you see, the life Esther had lived before now, was invisible and even though she became Queen, her real identity had to remain invisible too! This unfortunately meant, she had to have a special kind of “permission” to be seen by the King, but a decision of this nature required her to step out of the shadows and leave behind her own comfort of invisibility – as well as risk her life.
I encourage you read the whole story from the beginning to know what happens!
In the meantime, let me share the second part of the KEY verse:
And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom
for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b
The takeaway from this story is this and I’ve saved the best for last.
Although, many of us have not competed in a beauty contest – there is still an urgency to make important decisions for the time that we have been given as we live on this earth and one way we can do this is by seeking a Holy God and living for Him.
Let me share one major reveal about this story that I have waited until now to do so… There is a Character in this story throughout all ten chapters of the Book of Esther, but His name is not mentioned ONE time, giving the impression that He too, is invisible. Still, this could not be further from the truth, because He is there! He may not be visible in ink as His name is not mentioned, but His Powerful Presence cannot be contained or hidden. For, if you read between the lines, you will see that GOD is very much in every verse and chapter all the way to the last line of the Book of Esther.
My friend, do you know YOU were made for such a time as this? Ask yourself, where is GOD in YOUR Story? I guarantee you that although you might think at times, HE is invisible; rest assured HE is not! Quite the opposite actually, because HE SEES YOU and LOVES YOU and has a Purpose for YOU – which is all about HIS Story and helping YOU be part of it! You may have convinced yourself that you are someone who feels unworthy, and just maybe it has caused you to live most, or part of your life in the shadows…? It could be that even now at times you feel forgotten, unloved and dare I say… invisible?
Listen, God’s specialty is TIME and He is a Timeless God. He has set the clock of existence and can stop it or reset it if He chooses. Most importantly, for those who love Him, they have found their clock already has been reset in His Timely Way. This means, my dear one that if YOU are IN CHRIST, YOUR life has been remade REDEEMABLE!
Have you ever heard the expression “straighten your crown”? Guess what, when we give our life to JESUS, we become more than just a winner of a beauty contest, we become a Daughter of the KING!
So, if you are reading this now you can know that you don’t have to feel like you are “Invisible” to God – because God is closer than you think and HIS wonderful Plan and Purpose were created for YOU! Actually, now would be a great time for you check out the “Purpose” section on the Scripture page of our website. You can also know that I am here for YOU if you would like to connect! I would be happy to help you discover or rediscover all that you may have missed while in the shadows. Just click on the Hummingbird button below and fill out the form to get started.
In the meantime, may all who have been Redeemed of the LORD say so ~ Jodie
My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed.
Psalm 71:23
