A series on the Book of Esther
Taking a deep breath, I catch the scent of the mountain roses beginning to bloom along the trail and the Juniper trees, which are dropping their berries in a layer of baby blue on the ground. After a long winter, the air is warming, the plants are blooming, and the high desert is beginning to get some color. A little moisture from a random thunderstorm does wonders, like a little encouragement to a person’s soul.
Last week, we discussed Esther in the series’ first article. This week, I want to focus on what it means to emulate Esther’s faith. It starts with Proverbs 4:23:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Everything you do flows from your heart, and if your heart is heavily influenced by what you consume online, what you read, and who you are friends with, is the flow a pleasant stream in the desert, refreshing others and yourself? If it isn’t, it’s time to audit what or who you follow online and what you read and take stock of the character of your friends—the ones you are close to and lean on.
As Esther is swept into a harem of women, she is isolated from everything she loves, including the influences that molded her into the woman of God she is becoming. What strikes me about Esther is how she doesn’t allow the new environment to push her away from her faith. Esther wasn’t in an environment that worshiped her God or respected women. In fact, even as she became Queen, she did not let her new power corrupt her spirit.
As a hiker, I have come across trees or bushes growing out of a rock, and I am struck by their perseverance. A tree or plant will find ways to adapt to its environment by growing at an odd angle to catch the sunlight, or its roots finding a way to a water source to keep it replenished. When you are in a new environment, it’s vital to refresh your faith through godly friends, accountability, and joy. Joy is not dependent on the circumstances in your life but is a spring within that comes from the Lord.
So, take a moment to assess your environment:
- Online: Does who or what you follow refresh your heart? Or is it making the flow from your heart putrid?
- Do you allow trusted individuals to hold you accountable to a better standard?
- Who is the influenced and the influencer in your life? If you are the one being influenced, is the person a worthy influencer, drawing you closer to the Lord?