A Good Friday

When obedience feels like foolishness..

Photo by Samuel Lopes on Unsplash

What happens when an orphan girl finds herself in the palace with a hidden identity? She not only lives as one of the king's concubines but ultimately becomes the queen. This is the journey of Esther—an orphan who transforms into a public figure while holding on to a significant secret due to one man’s instruction.

In a time when women were not even counted in the census, we can imagine how Esther must have felt living in the home of her cousin Mordecai, in a strange land with unfamiliar language and customs. It’s likely she never truly felt at home, moving from one place to another and experiencing long nights of mourning her parents, all while yearning for the safety of being seen and loved.

Being a queen was a comforting change for Esther. At last, she was seen, heard, loved, and revered. She had a place to call her own, filled with precious robes, metals, and valuable items. Rising through the ranks to become the most powerful woman in the region was a significant achievement. So, when her cousin Mordecai urged her to reveal her identity as a Jew to the king amid what appeared to be a planned genocide, she hesitated. She didn't want to risk losing everything she had gained, including her position as queen. It seemed foolish to jeopardize her privileges for an uncertain outcome that could lead to death.

Many times, obedience places us in situations we never imagined, causing us to relinquish the privileges we deeply desire and have sometimes fought hard to obtain. This can hurt. We may experience feelings of embarrassment, grieve our lost comforts, and endure the stomach-wrenching anticipation of what lies beyond our commitment. However, like Esther, we may find that on the other side of what feels like our demise lies something bigger and better than we could have ever dreamed—a world made possible by a single 'yes.'

Just as Esther did, we must show up—whether it’s at the king’s palace, in front of our computers daily, or in the corners of our rooms where we present ourselves anew to the Lord. Whatever that 'yes' may entail, know that something better awaits on the other side.

On this Good Friday, as we celebrate the 'yes' of our King Jesus—who accepted the cross despite being God in human form—I invite each of us to reflect on the areas in our lives where we need to say 'yes' even if it hurts. We may feel foolish for following through, but just like Esther and Jesus, the salvation of many depends on our willingness to take that seemingly foolish step.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24

From my heart,

Feyisayo