Monday Memo 1143: A Special Place

This week, let's look at a young lady who played an important role in her people's history to see what you can learn to help you as a young person of purpose. Her name was Esther and here is how we meet her in the Bible:

Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. (Esther 2:5-7, NIV).

Esther was an orphaned girl who had been raised by her cousin Mordecai among other Jews who lived in Persia. When the king of Persia wanted to find a new wife and make her his queen, his servants searched the land for the most beautiful women and Esther was one of them. She along with other women were then taken to the king's residence so they could be prepared to meet the king:

When the king had issued his new proclamation and many young women were being brought to Susa, Esther was among them. She too was put in the royal palace in the care of Hegai, who had charge of the harem. Hegai liked Esther, and she won his favor. He lost no time in beginning her beauty treatment of massage and special diet. He gave her the best place in the harem and assigned seven young women specially chosen from the royal palace to serve her (Esther 2:8-9).

Esther was beautiful because God made her that way. She had no reason to be conceited or proud of her looks, for she had done absolutely nothing to create them. God had made her to look as she did for His own purposes. So if you have been told that you are handsome or pretty, keep in mind that this was God's doing. You're no better or more special than anyone else. Perhaps He will use your looks—or your ability to sing, or write, or speak, or act, or teach—for His purpose as well.

Esther was an orphan among a minority people in a foreign land. It would seem that she was destined to live a normal, ordinary life among her people, but God had something else in mind. She was discovered because she had special qualities that made her stand out from everyone else. You may be from a poor or broken family, just like Esther was. It may not seem like you're in a place that promises you a significant future, but if you belong to God, He will help you. He can cause significant people to pay attention to you and your special qualities, and they can offer you help and opportunities you never thought possible. Money for school, special opportunities in sports or positions of importance may be in store for you, even though you're young.

So where would you like to go to school but don't think you can afford to go? Dream big and trust God. Do you think you aren't talented or gifted enough to do something you love doing with others who appreciate you for who you are? God is with you and all you have to do is be yourself, just like Esther was. He will make a way for you and open doors, just like He did for Esther, Joseph, David, Daniel and the others we have studied in this series. Esther was a teenager, but in the next two weeks, we will look at the important role this beautiful orphan girl played where she lived to prepare you for the special place God already has in mind for you. Have a blessed week!