Over the past few years social media has introduced us to the impact of influencers. We’ve all witnessed these individuals who are the visible and the vocal about specific causes and who have large followings. Usually, the most notable influencers are audacious in their determination to make their voices heard. I looked up the definition of influencer and there was a quote that followed: one who exerts influence : a person who inspires or guides the actions of others- “The old theme of laziness and mellowness runs counter to today’s influencers.” Merriam Webster
When we step away from our current concept of being someone who inspires or guides the actions of others, we can go to our bibles and see individuals who had a marked impact in their generation. For better or worse, they too were influencers and there were not a few who were women. From the beginning, God’s word has opened up for us the lives of women young and old, rich and poor who were woven into His divine plan and who’s stories have every potential to shape the lives of women of faith today.
Among the many Esther was and is a woman who’s life and influence has stood the test of time. From the opening chapter we see what appears to be individuals and events who’s lives are anything but the instruments in a divine operative. Power, privilege and self- indulgence set the stage that in today’s society would make for a great reality T.V program. In contrast as the chapters unfold we are introduce to unknown and seemingly insignificant individuals who have been strategically placed to carry out an otherwise hopeless mission
Esther, a Jewish orphan child, was adopted by an older cousin named Mordecai. After becoming queen in the Persian empire an unexpected crisis unfolds. The Jews have been appointed for total annihilation. Mordecai begins to recognize something about Esther’s position as queen and challenges her to take a stand. Little did he realize how his words would affect not only Esther but generations of women to come. In Esther 4:14 he says, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”
Mordecai was a clear believer in the sovereignty and providence of God, he looked for God’s working over their lives and in their circumstances. Yet he was not a believer in fate as if they could stand by and do nothing. Sure, God would preserve Israel one way or another, but Esther had a choice to make. Would they experience the blessing of God as He delivered the nation through their faithfulness, or would they, particularly Esther, give this moment which God had ordained for her to someone else? This was Esther’s chance to make a choice that would impact the history of an entire people and nation.
Esther was just like us. Esther’s God is our God. Israel was His people, and now we, as believers in Christ, are His people. How God worked in Esther’s life is how God desires to work in our lives.
Beauty, wealth or positions of power may not be the tools God has assigned for us. Yet, God has arranged and appointed or lives just as He did in Esther’s life. Psalm 139:16 says, “And in Your book were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” From even before we were conceived in our mother’s womb, God had a plan for our lives. Esther reveals how each event is clearly ordained by God, and she simply cooperated with the hand of God.
Esther exercised her ability to choose partnership with the providential hand of God. What an influencer!
Sometimes we get stuck waiting for some dramatic moment where we come through in the clutch and do something great for God. God’s call to us is to be faithful in the ordinary everyday things, because even these are ordained by Him for such a time as this.