Moving forward comes with a cost
Cynt
January 30, 2019
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As we go into February, some of us start the new year off with either resolutions or goals. You may have made or going to make a vision board to see the things you want to achieve this year. Maybe you work on a physical makeover. You either work out or make calls able going through a surgical procedure. Wherever you are on the journey, there will be a cost to move forward. One woman in the bible that moves forward with a cost is Esther. Her story is about when she went before the King on the behalf of the Jewish people. There have been conferences, movies, and sermons based on the famous saying “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). But there were steps that happen before that wonderful scene. Esther had to move forward.
There are three steps to moving forward. They are:
1. Let go of your past
2. Embrace your present
3. Get prepared for your future
1. Let go of your past
The story of Esther begins with a young girl living with her Uncle Morcedai during the time of Jerusalem captivity (Esther 2:5-7) in the provinces of Persia. The king Ahasuerus was angry because the Queen Vashi did not obey him when he requested her. (1:10-12) He sent out a decree looking for a new queen among the maidens of the land. (2:1-4). When the king's commandment went out to find maidens they chose Esther. Her uncle sent her two things a goodbye and a statement Don't show who you are (2:10).
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
When you are going to the next level of your destiny, people will let you go or stop you. When God is moving you there’s a cost. God will take people, places and things out of the immediate circle. We may leave behind family and friends. Your hometown may not be the city of growth for you. The things you value the most will be the first thing to go. This is necessary to further you in your purpose. It’s costly to walk in purpose.
2. Embrace Your Present
They took Esther into the palace and she finds favor with Hegai the keeper of the women (2:9). They gave her other maiden to help her. She now has to go through her purification. This will last 12 months. Yes, a year. She needs to get clean. The maidens could not go before the king in their own clothes. They are to be cleaned in myrrh and sweet odors. They need transformation.
Embracing your present requires change. You are now going through a process of renewal. This will be the most difficult part. It will not take place overnight. It will be weeks, months or in Esther time a year. Yes, a year. To embrace your present, you must change from a caterpillar into a butterfly. In order for that to happen, you must go into yourself and begin the purging away of things that are keeping you in on the hamster wheel. You will need help as Esther did with Hegai. You need someone to assist you in the process because if you don‘t you will stay where you are out of fear or procrastination. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be a comforter to us as we go through the process (John 14:26 / 15:26). The Holy Spirit wants to lead us into the truth of God and the relationship the King wants to have with you but if we don’t allow him, he will not push you. The Holy Spirit is God, and he is a gentleman. It's your choice move forward or still stuck.
Esther was on her way to becoming a queen. She was going through the purification (process). She was around new people and places. She was learning new things. Her past could not go with her because it would have hindered her.
3. Get prepared for your future
Well, as the story goes Esther gets her time with King and wins his heart (2:15-17). We now have Queen Esther. A young captive Jewish girl is now the Queen of Persia. Yes, God will do it. It puts Esther to the test not too long after becoming Queen. She faced with a dilemma. There has been a decree that would put the Jewish people (her people) in danger of existence(3:8-13). Mordecai learns of the decree he went into mourning (4:1). He knows he needed to inform the Queen. He tells her they are in danger and she has to do something. She was in this palace for a reason and it is now up to her to save them (4:14). She told the people to go on a three-day fast with her and her maidens. Queen Esther had to get a before the face of the King. She had to get a plan that would save her people (4:15-17).
When we are moving forward, we need to be prepared for the obstacles that will come our way. Some will come fast and some will come later. We will need to have a relationship with God that will allow us to get before his face and ask for direction. They have crowned Esther the Queen of
Persia but she was a Queen in the Kingdom of God. She was going before the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords for an answer. She knows this would require a total devotion to God. No food, No drink, just prayer, and supplication. How can you be a Queen and not know how the kingdom is run? Jesus told us that some things only can forth with prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). Know how to get before the King for yourself. Yes, Esther had the support of the Jewish people but she herself would pray for the answer on how to save them. You may be the one to save your family. Get prepared on how to pray for them, talk to them, and stand in the gap on their behalf. Show up as a Queen and not a maiden.
Conclusion,
We all know the end of the story. Queen Esther saves her people and the enemies of the people were killed by their own devices. My sisters, as you go through-out this year please prepare for your purpose. Know that your past cannot come. It is your testimony, not your life. Embrace your present. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Change is painful but necessary. Prepare for your future. Learn the scriptures, be ready for all the enemies arrows. If you are not prepared, you are going to get knocked down a lot.
To move forward is going to cost but, it is well worth it.
