The day a girl became a queen.
Merry Friday by Parris Bailey
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
I have lots of memories reading the book of Esther. I love the drama, the romance of the Old Testament! Who needs to read novels or watch soap operas when the you have it all in the Bible and it leaves out the bad stuff!
Esther changed my life when I was 25 years old. Frank and I had been pastoring for about 4 years and I just had my 3rd son. Overwhelmed probably would describe my life. Our church was growing, along with my family and my insecurity. It was the day at the kitchen sink that got my attention. The boys weren’t the problem, they were doing their usual running around the house, but that day in particular I found myself falling apart. The Lord seemed to come to that kitchen that day and began His gracious work on me. He told me that I had spent most of my life making excuses. It was almost as if my life was on replay. He ever so gently took me to my mistakes and shortcomings and showed me each time I had failed only causing me to back off and either fail or not even take a chance. I just finished the book of Esther, I felt so encouraged by her. He reminded me of the predicament Esther found herself in. Here was a girl that before she even got started in life, had a limp. After a long conversation that day with the Lord He seemed to reach down into my soul and take out some things that weren’t so nice and encouraged me to step forward, “for whose to say whether your not called for such a time as this”. The formula was simple, reach out to the “other Parris’s” in life and tell them what you always want to hear (That Jesus loves them).
Spurgeon says, “with the courage and resolution that became a queen she, seemed to say to herself, “If I sit still, I die; if I venture, I may live, and be the life of my people: if the worst comes to the worst,” as we say, “I shall but die.” Nothing ventured, nothing win. She said not this in despair or passion, but in a holy resolution to do her duty and trust God with the issue; and welcome his holy will.”
We should every one of us consider for what end God has put us in the place where we are, and study to answer that end; and, when any particular opportunity of serving God and our generation offers itself, we must take care that we do not let it slip; for we were entrusted with it that we might improve it. We will not miscarry when God comes on board. I too, that day felt something within say, nothing venture, nothing win. I was tired of facing my own ghosts haunting me day after day. That day a little girl became a queen.