Purpose-full
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:12-16)
Esther became queen when the king's displeasure with his first wife led him to conscript the eligible women in his region into a beauty contest. The king chose Esther. She had been warned by her uncle, Mordecai, to keep her Jewish heritage a secret. But when the unwise king, led by his vengeful official, Haman, issued a deadly decree, Mordecai counseled Esther to reveal herself and Haman's plot to the king. Esther, however, was not supposed to approach the king unless he summoned her, and he had not done so for thirty days. Esther had Mordecai to call their people to a three day fast along with her and her attendants. When the fast ended, Esther had a plan and was clear on her purpose. The king took no issue with Esther's approach, so she was emboldened to move forward with her plan - inviting the king and Haman to a series of banquets, ingratiating herself even more to the king and throwing Haman off guard, before revealing everything.
According to Jesus, God's call to love God and neighbor is our purpose. Fulfilling this purpose makes us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Through us, God's love and grace can season every relationship and every interaction, and illuminate the dark places that cause people to feel lost and alone. When we fail to live into this purpose, we make our lives as useless as tasteless salt. This may not seem as weighty as the risk Esther faced, but hearts, minds, and souls still hang in the balance. No matter our chosen profession, our lives can be full of purpose and meaning. We are wherever we are for such a time as this.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)
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