I jumped on the challenge bandwagon. Head first.
I even encouraged my friends to join in.
I know, I know. I’m not usually one to get caught up in the latest social media craze but I promise this one is different.
Seriously.
What’s the challenge?
To be bold for spiritual change.
Now I have to warn you this is not your typical challenge.
This challenge calls on women all over the world to spend seven days leading up to International Women’s Day (8 March), seeking the Lord’s direction. And then to act boldly for Him.
I know you might be asking yourself, ‘what does bold look like, anyway?’
Well, I’m glad you asked because I know a friend who’ll be happy to show you what boldness is — simply by sharing her life story.
Her name is Esther.
And in the interest of full disclosure, I should probably tell you that I don’t actually know Esther in real life. I mean, we never met but I feel like Esther’s my good friend because of how much she’s taught me.
To understand what made Esther so bold, we need to understand a little of her story.
You see, Esther lived in a time long before Jesus and found herself in a very privileged position. While she relaxed in the lap of luxury, her people (the Jews) faced persecution. The Jews feared for their very lives and with good reason.
But what does all this have to do with Esther?
As Queen, Esther was a woman of influence – though that influence came with a price, but that’s a story for another day. Let’s just say that with all that she had going for her, it would have been very easy for Esther to turn a blind eye and continue enjoying the good life.
And in fact, that’s what she was tempted to do until a very wise relative spoke boldness into her.
For a little more background, read a summary of Esther’s story here.
What can Esther teach us about being bold for spiritual change?
Here are three things I learned from Esther about boldness:
Bold humility
- Esther humbled herself
When approached by her uncle to act in the power she had, Esther was not moved. At least not at first. It took getting humble before God to motivate Esther to be willing to be used by God.
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Bold Faith
- Esther sought the Lord
On her own, Esther knew that she did not have what it took to change the outcome for her people. She needed something — or in this case, someone — bigger than her to bring about this bold change of circumstances.
Bold Action
- Esther acted with boldness
Because of Esther’s bold humility and bold faith in a big, bold God, Esther acted with boldness. (See Esther 7:3-4) The result was one for the books, literally. Esther is one of only two women who has a book of the Bible bearing her name. Coincidence? Hardly!
Everyday boldness
Friend, I don’t know what God is calling you to do, but I do believe that boldness shows itself in many ways and in many places.
Boldness doesn’t always carry a microphone. Nor does it need one.
Boldness isn’t only found in auditoriums and large followings. Believe me, boldness is no less powerful when it shows up in a small room.
In fact, there’s nothing like the power of boldness least expected.
Esther is but one example of a person who acted boldly for God. Many others acted boldly in the small things and still had a big impact for God. Many more never even got their names recorded in the Good Book but I have a feeling that was never their motivation anyway.
True boldness — the type that produces bold spiritual change — is humble and faithful, no matter the circumstances.
Maybe God is calling you to have a bold talk with a friend about her lifestyle outside of Christ.
What about that bold prayer you need to pray for your teen?
Or the bold humility you need to exercise with your husband?
Where is God prompting you to be bold today?
Whether or not you have an esteemed position like Esther, isn’t really the point. Clearly, Esther’s boldness started long before she ever step foot in the palace.
You can be bold right where you are. The question is, are you willing to be bold for God right where you are?
How about you?
What bold thing is God calling you to do?
Are you willing to step out in faith to experience bold spiritual change in your life and the lives of those around you?
Wishing you blessings,
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I think you’re right, Marv, boldness shows itself in many different ways. Esther was bold, wasn’t she? I don’t know if she felt bold all along, but her story reminds me that when we reach out earnestly to God and humble ourselves before Him, then He will equip us with the boldness we need to accomplish what He has set before us in His timing. Sometimes, we are bold for our own purposes, but not so much for God’s. Thanks for encouraging us to have ‘bold humility and bold faith in a big, bold God’.
So very true, Carlie. I think I’ve been guilty of being bold for my own purposes a time or two. It never goes well. Thankfully God is always patient with me and calls me back to Him. My most recent question now is: “Lord, what bold thing are you calling me to do?” I pray that I can be like Esther and humbly step forward in bold faith.