Coffee, Tea & Me - Dr Cheryl Chen

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝.

Esther was a queen of King Xerxes and had a hidden identity as a Jew. Her cousin, Mordecai, advised her to keep it a secret. Haman, the king's top official, took offence at Mordecai for refusing to pay tribute to him. In anger, Haman persuaded the king to issue a decree to annihilate all Jews. When Esther learned of this, she felt powerless and afraid to intercede for her people, as her personal favor with the king was at risk at that time.

In Esther 4:14, Mordecai's question caused Esther to see a new perspective on her life and past events. They were bigger than her immediate fears. It reminded her that God was behind the good moments of her life - from orphan to queen, as God had a plan for her. God had placed her in the royal position for a purpose. Mordecai's words reminded Esther that she had a choice. God would still deliver His people even if she chose to do nothing, but God was inviting her to partner with Him, saving lives to make a difference.

Esther chose to risk her own safety and comfort to intercede for her people. She responded to God's invitation by bringing about His righteousness in the land through her God-given appointment as queen. Through this, Esther experienced the healing and courage that comes from obedience. The invitation to Esther is the same for us today. We are God's handiwork, His masterpiece created in Christ Jesus to do good work which God prepared in advance. God invites us to partner with Him because it brings us wholeness and fullness of life. When we accept God's invitation, God works miracles through us and brings our lives purpose and joy 🌟.