Esther

"And if I die, I die."

Suddenly the account of Esther goes from Cinderella to something more Shakespearean.

Esther, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. The poor girl whose name means "star". The girl raised by a lowly porter, whose chance of "making it big" were infinite to none.

But there she stood, as a queen, grieving inside the King's palace. A queen with an entire race's fate weighing on her petite shoulders. Because on the other side stood Haman. A man, corrupt and morally bankrupt, who stood as the king's greatest advisor. Haman wanted genocide against the Jewish people because one Jew, Mordecai, wouldn't bow to him. Because of that one defiant act, Haman set out to eradicate every Jew in the land. He had the time. He had the place. And the support of a most powerful king to set his plan into motion.

The only thing standing in his way was a pretty Jewish girl.

And there she stood, perhaps on her balcony of the king's palace which, by the way, the palace foundation alone spanned two and a half acres and rose five stories. I imagine an emotionally torn, grieving Esther looking over the kingdom, her people, her Jewish people knowing she can't simply walk in and ask for an audience with the king, but she must. To do that would show disrespect and could have grave consequences (as it had for her predecessor) but she must act. She must talk to the king to save her people.

"And if I die, I die."

Aside from the words of Jesus, there are few more powerful words spoken throughout the entire Bible. "And if I die, I die." Make no mistake here, Satan had chosen his person to carry out his will, Haman. The king's advisor, a man swayed by egotistical whims who had the power to carry out devastating orders with ease. But in the other corner, ah, the other corner, God chose a woman. A Jewish woman. Two things that carried a serious "second class" label in those days.

God chose Esther. And her response to the peril was, "And if I die, I die." Historians reveal that it was Haman's own pride and egocentric ways which sprung his own trap on himself and led the the unraveling of his plan. Satan had his player. God chose His. And once again, it was the most unlikely hero with whom God proved the victor.

Now, besides being a wonderful account of true events in history (you can visit the palace Esther lived in today), what strikes me is Esther did what was right. Period. It wasn't easy. It wasn't going to make her popular amidst the influential people in the palace. But it was right. She did what she knew she was meant to do, risking her own life in the process, and letting God do the rest.

Which brings me to this: In our world where we hear of corrupt politicians, greedy CEOs and "ethics" seem more like a nice ideal than something held dear, know this. This isn't anything God hasn't seen before, hasn't dealt with before and hasn't beat before. He sets things according to His plan. Always. And He wins.

All He asks is you do the right thing and He'll do the rest. And you may die. Socially. Financially. Professionally. That's the risk He may ask you to take at one time or another in your life. Heavy thought? Sure. But God will have His way by working with you or someone else. He chose someone whose name means "star" over 2,500 years ago to put His will into motion. And her selfless act is celebrated today.

What will you do when he calls your name?