Once again, we are down to the final session of another Beth Moore study. Are we the same as we were when we began this Esther journey? I think not! The words of Psalm 103 come to mind –
"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise His holy name . . . forget not all His benefits – who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases, who redeems our lives from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion, who satisfies our desires with good things to that our youth is renewed like the eagle's . . . He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him . . . "
He is FOR us . . . He will not leave us unchanged!
In this final session, we learned that "we got some along-withs" . . . we are not autonomous, we need each other - God used both Esther and Mordecai to accomplish His purposes, the saving of the Jewish race.
Beth then reminded us of Scenario #2 - "It's tough being a woman in a world where beauty is a treatment." How did she turn that around? She reminded us that while "in man's realm, time diminishes beauty, in God's realm where we will spend forever, time perfects beauty." She reminded us that beauty is not a treatment, it's a destiny -
"He has made everything beautiful in it's time". (Eccl. 3:11)
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:2, 3)
In wrapping up the final turn around, we were reminded that even when "it's tough being a woman in another woman's shadow" (Scenario #1), we don't dwell there -
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust. (Psalm 91:1, 2)
So, if you are feeling overshadowed, under-rated, overwrought, under-qualified, under attack, overanxious or over-responsible, turn it around! Know that God is there, even when you can't see Him . . . trust Him and take Him at His Word, and let that trust reverse your detour of adversity into a highway of destiny!
Much love to you, women of valour . . . Jan : )
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Girls wasn't this study so good, for all of us to see the real Esther, and to see Esther in us too.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how Beth is able to take a beloved story that has been told for many years and bring her to life, and bring the whole megillah to our hearts and lift us to a better place as we walk our lives out with Christ.
To fully understand that my destiny is tied to my past - the parts that I wanted to run from, to hide in a dark corner, the parts that I am ashamed of and didn't want to admit existed; those are tied to my destiny.
I liked what Beth said, 'He's also working every detail - even the dreadful ones - to your and my good'. Isn't that so like God? Able to make my mess - BEAUTIFUL!