Purpose Study Bible 316: More Of Who You Already Are

In Esther 2, preparations began to select a new queen to replace Vashti. Before Esther could fulfill her role, she had to undergo a season of refinement—not to change who she was, but to strengthen it.

"Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti" (Esther 2:4).

This woman, who was already beautiful, was to be made even more beautiful, more of who she already was. Esther's preparation wasn’t only external; God was also shaping her character, discernment, and courage—qualities that would one day save a nation.There's a creative purpose lesson in this, for God wants to do the same thing for you. If your purpose is mercy, He wants you to become even more skilled in distributing it. If you're a writer, He wants you to become more proficient. If you are a speaker, more eloquent. An artist, more distinguished in style and effect. 

God isn't interested in a team of well-rounded individuals, otherwise He would give people a bit of every gift. Instead, He gave everyone a gift or two, and one purpose, and wants them to hone their skills and be part of a team where everyone is contributing what it is that they do best. 

So what do you do best? Do you see that this is God's plan for you? What do you do that God would want you to invest time and effort to become even more of who that is? What can you do to become more of who you already are?

Esther was about to become even more beautiful than she already was, and from the story, she was already the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. God wants to perform the same work in your life and doesn't really need your permission, but does need your cooperation so that you and He can be a formidable team capable of doing whatever it is that God has in mind.