My Hero of Faith Is Esther

Esther is my favorite figure as an example of faith and action.

To me, this story is just like a romantic fairy tale, a bestselling romance novel, or a classic Disney film that made it to box office.

This story takes place in the City of Susa, one of the cities in the Persian Empire, where King Ahasuerus dismissed Queen Vashti because she refused his request. Esther was a Jew whose ancestors had been taken into the exile of Israel many years earlier. She had an uncle named Mordecai who raised her with love and protected her with his whole life.

I imagine Esther as a beautiful young woman who was chosen to enter the king's palace so she could win the beauty contest. A main character who came to the palace feeling flattered, proud, and confident.

Not only was she beautiful, but also because of her character, Esther was loved by the king more than any other woman. Therefore the king placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen to replace Queen Vashti.

Standing Against the Destruction of a Nation

Then there was someone named Haman, the antagonist of the story. He was one of the king's officials who hated the Jews and intended to wipe them out.

Esther was a faithful Jew, and Haman's plan made her very afraid. In an instant the atmosphere changed from romance into a thrilling story. Mordecai, who learned of Haman's evil plan, spoke to Esther through Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs.

Then a conversation took place between Esther and Mordecai. Her uncle asked Esther to save her people from Haman's hatred by speaking to the king. At first the queen firmly refused because it was too dangerous and could cost her life. But Mordecai kept reminding Esther that God was always with her, and that perhaps this was God's plan in making her a queen, namely to save her people.

Though afraid, Esther obediently followed her uncle's advice. She began her 'battle' by first praying and fasting. She also asked her uncle and her people to pray for her. Esther set her strategy, and God gave her wisdom. With courage and cleverness, Esther succeeded in gaining the king's attention, asking him to attend a banquet with Haman, and finally making the king realize Haman's evil plan.

Esther succeeded in saving her people. She and Mordecai became heroes, and even the celebration of Purim was established to remember their heroic action. Esther used what God had given her to change the situation. Esther was brave enough to take the responsibility she had been given.

We can change the situation! God can involve us in many things, to change things we never imagined.

What is the moral of this story?

This story teaches me that our faith shows who we really are. Mordecai reminded Esther that even though she was a queen, she was still a Jew who had to acknowledge who she was and save her people.

What about us? Sometimes we think that we are only students, workers, or housewives, just ordinary Christians, staying in a safe place and unwilling to take greater risks or responsibilities to make things better. Sometimes we do not believe in our own strength and wait for someone else to change the situation.

God does not desire that!

Women, we can change the situation! God can involve us in many things, to change things we never imagined. God wants us to take a step, to pray, and to fast. We can change our own lives, we can help the lives of others, even change the destiny of a nation like Esther did.

God does not bless a person's effort and hard work because they are capable, talented, or have above-average ability. God blesses someone when they are willing to change something for God's glory.

We can change our own lives, we can help the lives of others, even change the destiny of a nation like Esther did.

For me personally, this story reminds me of the turning point in my Christian life. I remember when my older sister looked at my life and wanted to change my character with the truth through the Word. She prayed and arranged the right time to speak with me about how God could become very personal and real in my life. At first I refused and went on living my life as usual. But I saw that my sister never stopped trying to love me. She believed I had the strength and courage to change through God's word. She was not wrong! After studying the Bible and seeing the character traits I needed to change, I became excited to live with God. Just as Esther saved her people, my life was saved because someone took a step to try to change my life.

Esther is my hero of faith, and I am determined to become like her. What about you? Be someone who is brave enough to carry out God's mission, because God will surely be with you!

By Marda Silaen