My two pages of notes have writing scribbled all over them as Beth took us through this section of Esther, "The Human Dilemna of Destiny".
We learned that destiny can:
- rise up at inopportune times . . . the crisis of Esther's people necessitated an audience between Esther and her King and husband during a time of his absence in their relationship - Esther 4:11b - " . . . but 30 days have passed since I was called to go to the King."
- demand unreasonable expectations . . . the crisis of Esther's people, the Jews, became a personal crisis for Esther
- require risky identification . . . in accepting her destiny, Esther would have to reveal her identity as a Jew, the very identity she had been advised to hide for the sake of her safety
- hinge on an unanswered question . . . because of the hugeness of what the answer might be - Esther 4:14b - " . . . And who knows that . . . "
- our egos would rather be special than useful . . . ouch!
- when what we have is acquired through beauty (or other surface attributes) alone, how do we keep what was acquired?
- how do we risk transparency when we hope that the stuff that would identify us as desperately flawed would be forever behind us?
- can I trust that God will give me favour and use me as I step out "just as I am" into His destiny for me?
As you work through this week's homework, take with you Scenario #4 - it's tough being a woman thrown a giant-sized weight."
See you all on Saturday . . . Jan : )
PS: I am copying a link to the Steven Curtis Chapman song (from his official website - http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/thismoment.htm) referred to as you make your way through the homework to Page 103 . . . no, don't turn there, work your way there, lol!!!!