Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
What is radical acceptance? Esther gives us an example of what radical acceptance looks like. Esther was called to stand up and challenge the King to save her people. Esther was in a very dangerous position. Her life was on the line. As God gave her the courage and the boldness, she also had to consider her circumstances.
I think a lot of times we have an idealized version of what our circumstances are going to look like when we are called to step into uncertainty—when we are called to speak up. We want to feel a certain way. We want to feel emboldened, confident; we don’t want to feel anxious. The reality of it is that most of the time those emotions of uncertainty are going to accompany us even if we know we are doing the right thing.
Think about all the emotions Esther must have been feeling. She must have been feeling terrified, uncertain, and yet she showed up with faith, courage and conviction. She said, “I am going to stand up.” “I am going to speak up.” “I am going to respectfully push back.” Esther was by God to be a liberator of her people but as the Queen of Persia she was expected to be obedient to the law. She was expected to be quiet and submissive. But what she did in that moment is she chose to partner with God.
She stepped into that place of uncertainty—of not knowing the outcome, probably feeling quite anxious about the outcome, and overwhelmed. But she knew her circumstances and said “Okay this is where God has placed me. I’m going to partner with God and we are going to bring about radical transformation. We are going to free the people. I am stepping out in faith.”
When you find yourself facing a really difficult situation, I want you to consider how you can embrace and accept those emotions that might be holding you back. And yet still challenge yourself to step forward knowing that God will provide victory and God will carry you through.