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Widowhood.

Do you ever imagine we are on an extended trip, living in a land we never expected? I would never have chosen this trip. How could I even pack appropriately for it? I don’t like the accommodations on this trip! You too?

But when I read Scripture, I find this happens more often than not. Some of the Biblical characters went willingly to the unknown, some fought it the whole way. Some were there because of other people’s actions, some were there because of their own.

Here are some Bible characters that come to mind:

Joseph

Abraham

Ruth

Moses

Daniel

John

Ponder each one – where did they go and why? Joseph was taken captive and carried off to a new country. Abraham followed God to a new home. Ruth followed her mother-in-law to a new land, new religion, and a new life. Moses didn’t want to lead his people to the Promised Land until God let him have help from his brother. Daniel was carried off to captivity. John was sent to the island of Patmos as a prisoner.

And then there’s Esther. Some of the details of her story are similar to our stories! Let’s look at several of those similarities:

So when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women.
Esther 2:8 (ESV)

The first thing I noticed was that Esther was most likely there against her will.

I guess I had this romantic image of her attending a voluntary beauty pageant. But this verse leads me to think otherwise. The king made a proclamation for the gathering of young virgins in the land. She was taken away to the king’s palace to prepare for the “pageant”.

That’s where I noticed another similarity.

I’m preparing for a “pageant” also– God is preparing my heart for the Bride’s feast in Revelation!

Esther went through lots of preparation before and during the pageant, but I find great encouragement knowing that Esther was ready for her uncle’s statement and the climax to the story in chapter four.

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 ESV

That is my third similarity with Esther.

Can I be used for God’s Kingdom when I am in the “land” of widowhood, where I never planned to be?

Could I be at this point in history for a reason?

Esther needed to find her purpose in being there at that point in history. With divine help, she made a plan that saved the Jewish people, in turn saving the linage of the Messiah. Our purpose won’t be nearly so grand, but it could be kingdom related. We can turn our eyes from looking inward at all our problems to looking outward, in serving others.

Esther wasn’t a widow, but her story encourages us. Like us, she was somewhere she didn’t plan on being. Like her, we are preparing for a feast. Our feast is as the Bride of Christ. The climax of her story was, “…for such a time as this…” We might ask ourselves if we are left here on this earth, for such a time as this!

If you are not sure how to be ready as the Bride of Christ, you must first turn your heart to Him in salvation. This link will help answer questions on what that means. And if you struggle to find your purpose in life now, here are more articles on that topic.

Lord Jesus, turn my vision outward. Give me eyes to see a purpose for being in this “land” of widowhood. You have put me here, for such a time as this. Amen

***Here is a link to the book of Esther in the Old Testament. If you really want to research the history surrounding the book of Esther, it is believed to fall between the chapters of six and seven of the book of Ezra. The name of God is nowhere in the book of Esther, but His sovereignty is found on every page. The Jewish people even celebrate the Feast of Purim as a way to remember the delivery of the Jews through Esther.