i must begin this post with a confession. in light of life's circumstances, i fell dismally behind in my studies this past week. i spent considerable time early this morning reading and catching up. and i seriously considered posting as if i hadn't fallen off the wagon. but where would the honesty be in that? it's my prayer that in this space, we all find the strength to be open with each other--and more importantly-- ourselves. so there you have it. best intentions aside--i put off studying till the last possible minute. i must also confess that procrastination is not one of my more attractive attributes :)
however-- as i sat here, ridden with guilt, i read a line in our lesson that stated:
" esther managed to walk the fine line of moderation without making others feel judged."
i LOVE this concept. and not only because i was feeling the wrath of personal judgement myself. but because it so simply puts our social world into perspective. so often we are surrounded by people who emulate judgement. we become obsessed with pleasing them. with making an impression. often, when you think about it, we worry about pleasing people we don't even know. how many of us have taken the time to put on makeup, or go out of our way to look "presentable", simply to run into target. or how often do we compare what others might be wearing/doing- to the outfit/actions we decide to portray? i am most certainly guilty of this--but i make a conscious effort not to be. why? because it all comes down to the question:
"why are we affected by what other people think?"
why are we so concerned with their judgement? especially in consideration of God's word. He makes it crystal clear that we are not on this Earth to judge others. another line in the study this week stated:
"praise God for a King who gives a woman dignity instead of taking it"
it's very humbling to see ourselves as Jesus does. In His perfect eyes we are creatures of perpetual beauty, talent, dignity and grace. we don't need the approval of anyone else. we are already beautiful. beth touched on this topic, as well, in the first segment when she dissected the "beauty treatments" in the book of Esther. what truth behind the realization that the woman who sought out the cosmetics and ointments and soaps-- were already beautiful. i can only imagine the sadness it must bring God to see how ridden with insecurities we are in this society. His desire for us is to look in the mirror and see ourselves for everything wonderful that we are. instead of everything that we are not.
i also love that beth made sure to highlight that it was esther's personality--her kindness and humble approach-- that set her apart from the other woman in the kingdom. what a reminder to us! so often we strive for outer beauty. but anyone can be beautiful. in the end- it takes a woman of strong character to have inner beauty. and the story of esther proves that it is this quality that makes the all difference.
one of my most beloved passages in scripture is found at the very end of the book of Proverbs. it's a popular verse, but powerful none-the-less. it states:
"charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised"
- Proverbs 31:30
i challenge each of you to post this verse on your mirror. on your fridge. in your car. wherever you will see it most. and remember it. dwell on it. allow it to remind you of this week's study. allow it to encourage you in the fact that-- it wasn't only esther's beautiful appearance that got her ahead in this world-- it was her tender, spirit. her heart, turned toward her Heavenly Father.
it's my goal this week to stay right on track with week 3 lessons :) i hope and pray it's yours as well. i'll meet you back here on October 26th.
have a fabulous week in God's Word.
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