For the King
Image courtesy of www.LumoProject.com
A group of us are studying the book of Esther this summer. It is the story of a young Jewish girl who was taken from her home to serve in King Ahasuerus' court. She is ultimately chosen by him to be his queen because of her great beauty. One Night with the King, a film made several years ago, is a depiction of the book of Esther. While the movie is not completely factual, it is an entertaining look at true events.
Chapter 2 of Esther describes how the king ordered young and beautiful
virgins to be gathered from among all his provinces so that he could choose from
among them the next queen. Great ceremony was taken in cleansing and prettying
up these young women before they were presented to the king.
Precious oils and perfumes where used and the process took months. They
were finally taken before the king so that he could make his choice. It was all
in the presentation. The right smell. The right hairdo. The right outfit and
jewels. No expense was spared in decorating these young women. They were pure
and clean and undefiled. They were lovely.
My heart fills with joy when I realize that our King, God, requires no
such preparation to come to Him. I don’t have to wait until I straighten out my
life or give up that habit or stop a certain behavior. I don’t need to bathe in
scented oils or brush my hair till it shines or get a new wardrobe. I don’t
have to clean myself up first. I don’t have to be lovely.
All I need to do is fall broken at His feet, to release the grip on
what I call managing and free fall for a moment. I can abandon hope in my own
power and grab ahold of the folds of His robe.
And He is there. God is there.
Whether you are already His child or have yet to call on Him, He’s waiting. He is looking to hold you through this life,
no matter what comes. Don’t wait for the right time. The right time is now,
right where you are.
Situations can take a while to change. Old habits die hard. People won’t
get what they expect from us and some may walk away. But let’s release the
baggage and turn away from remedies that make us numb or giddy or pliable. Let’s
feel and think and hope and pray and submit and trust and hang on every minute
until it passes and then do it all again the next minute. Let’s keep our focus
on Jesus and feel the peace He promises. It is real. It is life.
The God of the universe, the true King of heaven and earth is waiting
to fold you into His heart. Relax into the truth and the hope that will give
you rest.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Content 2015 © Charlene M Campanella (May not be used or reproduced in any fashion without written consent from the author)
Image courtesy of www.LumoProject.com
