by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

2022 will be remembered as the year that the world transited from global pandemic to global food shortage, inflation and high cost of living. For many, these have come with hardship, loss, loneliness and disappointment. Some are mourning or still recovering from their health or financial setbacks, even so there is place for gratitude. By the spirit of the prophets, there is place for thanksgiving (Habakkuk 3:17-19) and you might ask why? You are alive, and alive with hope. You still ask, what hope? Hope that God is on your side and that the battle of the ages is about over and Jesus is coming sooner that we ever imagined or thought.

Yes, we can draw inspiration from the life of that young woman who from her early days was uprooted from all that she knew, from her home, family and her people. She would one day become queen! The story of this Hebrew orphan named Hadassah or Esther was unique in 3 ways:

• Even as queen, she was not immune to hardship, but still faced trial after trial;

1. The burden of the salvation of an entire people threatened by Satan with annihilation;
2. The incessant pressure from family, in the uncle who pushed her incessantly to risk her life; or
3. The fear of the law of the country of which she saw the full weight in the replacement of Vashti, her predecessor;

• Despite her being an important and pivotal character, the main character is never named, never speaks yet is present and active; the book of Esther is one of the two Old Testament books where God is NOT mentioned (the second being the Songs of Solomon); and
• Demonstrates that wherever we are right now, we are uniquely positioned with great purpose.

We take each of these points, the thrust of the Lord’s charge to us who by divine ‘Royal’ appointment are called sons (Galatians 4:4-7 (AMPC).

The wordings of the song I am speaks to what our disposition must be!

Are you weary…I am
Are you hungry…I am
When you are lonely just call me “I am”
Pain in your body, fear in your heart
Just remember …I am on your side.

Refrain:
I am more than your reason
Far above all your plans
Holy, holy, holy, yes, I am
Above all men’s discussions
Far above all human plans
Holy, holy, holy, yes I am

Are you homeless…I am
Are you needy…I am
Are you willing to call me “I am”
Falling apart, fear in your heart
Just remember…I am on your side

Refrain:
I am more than your reason
Far above all your plans
Holy, holy, holy, yes, I am
Above all men’s discussions
Far above all human plans
Holy, holy, holy, yes, I am
 
I am ….I am…running to your heart
I am….I am….forgiven by His blood
I am…I am forever His child
I am wrote His love in my heart (x2)

Although not mentioned, nor named just as we saw in the second point, the eternal God remains the centre to all that’s happening in this world, DO NOT MISS HIM. The story is told that illustrates what we are all up against in this present world. The real story was part of a social experiment carried out by The Washington Post, where the acclaimed violinist Joseph Bell played incognito.

At a metro station in DC, on a cold January morning, a young violinist played several compositions as people rushed by. After 3 minutes, a middle-aged man slowed briefly, then hurried away. 30 seconds later, the young man received his first $; a woman threw it in his case without stopping. 6 minutes later a man leaned against a wall to listen for a few minutes, then looked at his watch, and walked away. After 10 mins a little boy stopped, but his mum hurried him along. Other kids did the same, but every parent, without exception, rushed them on. The young musician played for 45 minutes, during which time 7 people stopped and listened for a while, 20 gave money as they walked past him. He collected $32 and when he stopped playing nobody noticed, nobody applauded! Here’s the lesson-the violinist was Joshua bell, one of the world’s greatest musicians, and he played some of the most intricate pieces ever written on a violin worth $3.5m. Only 2 days earlier he’d sold out a Boston theatre where each seat was sold for $100 to listen to him play exactly the same music he played at the Metro station where only one person recognized him.

Beloved saint, consider Lamentation 1:12a (NLT), what are you missing as you barrel through life? If men had no time to listen to one of the world’s best musicians playing the finest music ever written on one of the most beautiful instruments ever made; what about God who holds all things by the word of His power (Romans 1:20, 25-26 (TPT), Psalm 19:1-4 (TPT). In this hurried world, you need to:

• Simplify your life—Matthew 6:25 (MSG)
• Keep the Sabbath—in the nerve-wracked society we live in, set aside at least one day to rest, and spend time with your loved ones and fellowship with your church family. Remember the hallmark of the Christian faith is love and you cannot love in a hurry! So, slow down; and
• Be satisfied with what you have—Hebrews 13:5 (AMPC)

Going on to the third and last point, like everyone, every son that is privileged (Romans 5:1-2 (NLT), there is responsibility that attaches!  The Lord illustrated this as recorded in Matthew 24:42-51 and Luke 12:35-37.

What are the critical elements?

• Unwavering focus on the Lord’s assignment, free from distractions to take care of His household
• A presence of mind and readiness to receive the Lord at His return, and
• A presentation of the household in good shape

Romans 12:11-13 (TPT) best captures what drives our conduct towards the master’s assignment, which is not dissimilar from Esther’s ultimate purpose as queen! God was and is still working to preserve His chosen people. We are placed principally to fulfill His purpose, using all our endowments from God to serve and help others become partakers of the inheritance that is reserved for those sanctified by the faith that is in Christ! Will you do this?

Shalom.


Pastor Afolabi Oladele