Read Esther 7:1-10.
The entire book of Esther is an interesting one. In fact, I could not choose a key verse from this passage. This passage is the one where the villain of the story, Haman, is at long last discovered and he receives his due punishment. His faults were ones I wish had long disappeared in us; racial hatred and envy, personal power lust, and selfishness. Esther, on the other hand has been a model of humility and trust in her uncle and in basic humanity. She is also raised as one who has trusted in the God of her people, which is also our God.
We can long argue as to what finally determines our character, but we cannot argue agains the power of God to change even the hardest of hearts, and that should be our prayer as we self-reflect on our own character and in our dealings with others. No one should ever believe that he or she is exactly at the point of perfection. Ours is a journey of perfection in love, as Wesley believed, and is one for all people called Methodist, not just ordained clergy. We are to love others and look for ways in which we can work towards bettering the conditions of those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Social holiness begins with spiritual holiness and the two go hand-in-hand. May it be so for us today.
PRAYER: Loving God of us all, make my journey better as I seek to know You and Yours in deeper ways. Let me look beyond obvious differences of racial or cultural differences to the heart and soul found deep within others. May I also seek to know how I can work to make this world a better place, a place truly known as Your reign here on the earth. I pray this in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
