Egging You On! Beating Life's Difficulties & Cracking on With GodSample

Esther - The Pickled Egg

If you aren't familiar with the story of Esther, please allow me to briefly egg'xplain how this amazing woman of God found herself in a right royal pickle. Esther won a beauty contest, and the prize was to become King Xerxes' new Queen. An evil man called Haman set out to pass a law to see that the Jews in the land were annihilated. Esther herself was a Jew (unbeknownst to the King who was genuinely fond of Esther) and therefore she and her people were truly in a pickle. Her adoptive uncle, Mordecai, urges her to step up and play her part in ensuring this evil plan does not come to fruition. In a pickle is an understatement.

Esther recognises the severity of the consequences that could result from her approaching the King uninvited. She is fully aware that this is highly against protocol and could result in her death. (Esther 4:11)

So, what does she do? She calls on the Jews to stand with her in fasting and prayer - and then she acts.

Do you find yourself in a pickle today? I would strongly encourage you to follow Esther's lead of fasting, praying and acting. Fasting is an important spiritual discipline, and if we are in trouble and don't know what to do, it's a great way of sacrificing food to show God we are serious about seeking him for intervention and answers. Hunger pangs and cravings can serve as prompts to remind us to pray. Fasting gives us some extra 'oomph' in our asking. Fast and pray your way through your pickle! As you do so, God will give you wisdom, enabling you to step forward and act in God-inspired wisdom.

The King graciously accepted Esther's request to meet with him and showed great favour to her and her people in cancelling the decree to kill the Jews. The evil Haman was egg'xterminated, Uncle Mordecai was honoured and Esther and her people lived in a time of freedom and safety.

God can do incredible things through the pickles we find ourselves in. Our responsibility is to do our best to remain in faith, hope, and trust - fasting, praying, and then acting on the divine wisdom God gives us.

Fast. Pray. Act.

Reflection

Are you in a pickle? How could you build Esther's fast, pray, and act example in your life?