When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai,
he sent back this answer:
'Do not think that because you are in the kings' house you alone of all the Jews will escape.
For if you remain silent at this time,
relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise
from another place,
but you and your father's family will perish.
And who knows but that you have come to your
royal position for such a time as this?'"
Esther 4:12-14
Relief would come. Protection would arise. Deliverance would occur. God faithfully hears the cries of His people. The only question that remained was this: Would Esther be a part of what God was doing?
It is the same with me today. God has a plan and He is always at work to progress His purpose. In the end, when His perfect design unfolds, will I be found faithful to Him, or will I be on the sidelines, cowering in fear?
The choice is mine.
Silence. It's easy for me to want to stay out of the fray, to avoid the conflict at all cost, to keep from getting caught up in the controversy. In an effort to keep the peace, I stay silent. Refusing to get involved in the struggle for righteousness in a world that is drawn to the unrighteous, to keep the Light within to myself as the darkness creeps closer and closer, to remain quiet even when the voices of deceit grow louder and stronger, I am not staying neutral as is my intent.
Inaction when action is called for is a vote against God (Matthew 12:30). In an attempt to preserve my reputation or to avoid escalating the conflict, I am actually choosing to oppose God. As a follower of Christ who is the salt of the world, I am called to stand firm in what I've learned in the faith, to be strong and courageous, tempering it all with love (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).
This doesn't mean that I'm a vigilante who seeks justice wherever I go, but that when God presents an opportunity to join in with His unpopular work in a world that desperately needs His love and salvation, I can participate. My attempt to stay neutral ends up placing me on the wrong side of history.
Keeping silent when speaking up is called for is a choice to stay out of God's unfolding plan.
Fear. There is much to worry about in this dark world. Fear, however, is not from God (2 Timothy 1:7). He did not place me where I now find myself so I could cower in the corner, afraid to speak up. His plan does not include my attempts to preserve my safety, my reputation or my way of life. I am not here, in this place and time, so that I can hunker down until Jesus comes again.
No! I am called to enter the battle, to interject into the fray, to live as salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). What good is salt, however, that has lost it potency, its salty quality? How would a lamp hidden under a bowl do anyone any good?
Thanks to God's Spirit living within me, I'm bold and powerful, able to tear down strongholds and render the most influential argument as foolish (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). His Spirit gives me a calm spirit in the face of danger as I let Him fight the battle through me. The perfect love that urges me forward drives out any fear that lurks in my heart (1 John 4:8).
Letting fear rule my life won't succeed in preserving myself as is my intention but only succeeds in placing me in a position that is against God and His plan.
Denial. I'm pretty good at ignoring God's still, quiet voice (1 Kings 19:11-13). It's easy to pretend I don't know what He wants me to do. Living in such a way, however, does not release me from liability. I will one day stand before Him and give account for my choices (1 Corinthians 5:9-10).
Since I, as a follower of Christ, has been given gifts to use in service, opportunities to share the Gospel, and purposes for every situation in which I find myself, I must not see myself as a victim who has been dealt a crummy hand (Matthew 25:14-30). God has a beautiful tapestry He is weaving out of my life, and every thread that seems difficult, hurtful or agonizing at the time, is actually an integral part of the masterpiece that is my life. Therefore, I don't have to think of my calling as something to avoid, but I can embrace it with passion as I realize how God is using it for my good and His glory. I will never be sorry that I responded to His gentle appeal for me to join in with what He is doing around me.
Pretending I don't know what God wants me to do does not absolve me of responsibility and places me in a position opposing God.
Many are suffering all around me but it's easy to turn a blind eye. When God brings something to my attention, however, my silence, fear, and denial do not keep me neutral, safe and free of obligation. Instead, refusing to speak out, letting fear drive my actions, and pretending I don't know what God wants me to do not only robs me of the blessing that comes from obedience but also places me on the side that is fighting against Him. I can't get my way and follow God at the same time. I must decide whose side I am on and act accordingly.
As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember my inaction is a choice against God.
When do I feign ignorance when I know full well what God wants of me?
How do I make it a habit to choose not to get involved?
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