Okay, so about Esther...
Melanie - January 27, 2009
I realize I never got back to y'all with my thoughts on Week 1 homework from "Esther", but I have been on two road trips in four days and have returned to a house that is in desperate need of a cleaning lady.
Sadly, I am the cleaning lady.
But I wanted to share a few thoughts I had on the week before it was next week. Does that sentence even make sense? Let's pretend it does.
On Day 2 of Week 1, Beth talks about the incredible party that King Xerxes has thrown to celebrate himself and his kingdom. It's definitely beyond the scope of any fancy event I've ever attended, mainly because in my world "fancy party" means there will be barbecued ribs and potato salad that isn't served out of a styrofoam container.
The Bible describes the scene this way, "For a full 180 days, he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty." Esther 1:4
Beth discusses how phrases like that are usually in reference to God, but King Xerxes was very taken with himself and his own greatness. All his hope and trust was in his earthly riches.
She contrasts v. 4 in Esther with Psalm 96: 4-6. The specific part of that passage that stood out to me was v. 5 which says "For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens".
It's kind of like the old saying "You can't take it with you when you're gone". All the material things that seem so important in our society are nothing compared to the incredible splendor and majesty of God.
And sometimes I need to be reminded of that.
I can get caught up in thinking some new clothes or granite countertops would make me happier than I am now. Our entire culture is built on the premise that more is better, but what I need is more of God.
Only in Him will I find the peace and contentment I am looking for. The best part is it's the kind that lasts. And as we soon see, King Xerxes with all his finery and 180 day party wasn't a content guy. In fact, he banishes his beautiful queen because she didn't play into building his ego.
The whole thing reminded me of some scripture I've been praying from Proverbs for the last several weeks.
"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God." Proverbs 30: 8-9
The only splendor and glory I want in my life is the fullness of His presence and to know daily that He alone is my daily bread.
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris
Comments (5)
My group just started, so I don’t have anything to add about the content of the week’s study yet, but I just have to say how much I loved Beth’s suit in the into video.
I loved it. LOVED. IT.
There was also some really good theology in there, and I can’t wait to get into the study.
But until I do I’m slightly obsessed with the suit :0)
Posted on January 27, 2009 8:07 PM
Mel, I’m a little further along in my Esther study, but I had to comment on this one.
In this world of “keeping up with the Joneses,” my family has found ourselves in a little bit of a financial crunch from all the keeping up with the Joneses. We are usually very careful with our money, but recently have found ourselves wanting more and not disciplining ourselves enough to not go and look and buy. Thus, the crunch is on. It’s a good “punishment,” if you will, for the lack of discipline.
Like this part of the study, I had found myself discontent with what I had. After we stopped and caught our breath, we immediately started praying for contentment. We pray to want the right things. Not the worldly things. Our contentment comes from HIM. HE is our source of life and happiness and joy. We pray to not only know that, but to live it daily. Xerxes wasn’t content. He was looking for all the wrong things in all the wrong places. His world was about to come to a screeching halt. This study absolutely rocks. Per usual, I am going it alone. Those are the perks of having 3 small children and one of those FREAKS OUT in a nursery. Group situations that provide childcare just aren’t an option for me right now. However, we have our wonderful online community. Can’t wait to continue discussions here with you.
Posted on January 28, 2009 10:42 AM
We just finished week 1 this past Monday night and watched the session 1 video. We did use the optional suggestions and had a very informal fashion show to start the evening off. The six ladies who were our models outdid (is that a word?) themselves and we had a blast.
We all loved Beth’s comment that you can’t divorce your past from your future and the root where they come together being Jesus Christ!
We have the biggest number of participants that we have had in a while. There are 22 enrolled, but haven’t all been present at the 2 sessions. Such a timely study for such a time as this!
Posted on January 28, 2009 12:19 PM
I’m just now in the first week of Esther so this discussion is very current for me! I find that I look forward to each lesson because it is so very interesting and seems to “fit” so well with all that is going on in this ole world at the present moment!
Marilyn
Posted on January 28, 2009 7:07 PM
I just commented on week two, but wanted to come back and add something here as well. Or at least something other than how much I liked Beth’s suit :0)
My favorite part of week one was the fairy tale, “once upon a time” analogy. I started thinking that a fairy tale, both beginning and end, is a great analogy for the Christian walk. We all have our “once upon a time” when we first met Him, and started our story. And even though we often hear people say things like “there is no such thing as happily ever after,” for Christians there is. It’s not in this life, but our happily ever after will be so much better than anything our human minds could imagine.
Plus, even in fairy tales there is conflict and drama. Granted a fairy tale only goes through one story arc and my life will go through to many to count, but it is never perfectly smooth sailing to the happy ending.
What a great study; I can’t wait to see what’s coming!!
Posted on February 6, 2009 8:09 PM