Today’s scripture: Esther 2:19-23 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Brenda Corbello):
…anywhere they want.
Although this is the credo I have been known to live by at times, it is clear to me that this is not the lesson I am to learn from this passage. Esther was quietly obedient to her uncle. She did not ask for much, and neither did he. Her family seems to be intent on following the rules even if they had to suffer a bit in return. Any rewards he received were only much later.
Sometimes, when we have to make hard choices, and we decide to do what we believe is the right thing to do, it can feel a bit unfair. It can seem like everyone else gets to do whatever they want and they do not have to suffer any consequences for their behavior. They can be greedy, and selfish, and they still get to have what they want.
We certainly have seen many examples of that. We see people who have cheated others, mismanaged businesses, and yet they are paid large amounts of money and have accumulated lots of possessions. They get to travel and enjoy many luxuries. They get to do so many of the things I wish I could do.
But, every once in a while, such as we have seen in the news lately, these same people begin to suffer some of the consequences for their conduct. It is hard not to feel just a little pleasure when some business mogul who has been defrauding lots of people gets caught and put in jail.
But the real pleasures I experience, more often, are the ones I have that come with a genuine sense of gratitude for the things that I do have, the sheer joy of knowing that my behavior is pleasing to my God. There are all kinds of rules, and some of them I may not understand. I do not always want to follow the rules.
The thing that I want to always keep in mind, though, is how my behavior will impact others. I want to treat others with kindness and fairness because that is what I believe God wants me to do. I do not want to feel like I only do the right thing so that I get something in return. I want someone to experience the gift of receiving my generosity because I care about them, not because I want something from them.
When we think about the people we admire most, it seldom involves those greedy individuals jetting all over the world, leaving the wreckage of their selfishness behind. It brings to mind those who have been unselfish; maybe they have compromised some of their own desires for the greater good. That is the kind of person I want to be. That is the kind of person I believe God wants me to be.
Thought for the day: In your time of quiet today, think about how much we really do receive when we choose to do what is right, even if it means we do not get everything we want right away.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.