SUNDAY - Devotional

Esther 4:8-16

• Esther faced the possibility of death for doing what was right. How does her courage inspire you?

“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” Carl Jung

“I’ll see you next week!” Jillian said out the car window. The blue Ford sped away until Olivia couldn’t see the bumper anymore. I hope so, she thought to herself.

Jillian and Olivia’s friendship had been rocky for months. Jillian was a great time–exuberant and joyful, she was a blast to be around. The problem? She was flaky. Olivia had confronted her about her chronic bailing habit, confiding that it made her feel like she wasn’t a priority. Jillian was always bubbling with apologies, assuring Olivia that it was the last time, that next time she’d do better. And yet, whenever they made plans to meet up, the pit in Olivia’s stomach always returned.

As Olivia stood, staring at the empty road, she thought back to Jillian’s words. I’ll see you next week! Would she?

Carl Jung says, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” A synonymous meaning is the very famous saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” Your actions matter.

In the story of Esther, she probably never would’ve predicted the path her life would have taken. Yet, when the time came for her to make an impossible decision between the right option and the safe option, Esther chose to do the right thing. Esther’s actions model for us what integrity looks like. Be proud of your actions, like Esther. Don’t make empty promises, like Jillian. Even when it’s scary, be courageous and do the right thing. “Who knows? Maybe you were brought here for a time such as this.”