We are now finally back in person and it was so great to see everyone! After our Sunday service we went into the Rectory Garden to have some pizza and chat in our year groups. On the following days we met with the Life Groups in church, still having to keep our distance and wearing our masks. Most of the young people are coming straight from school, so my supervisor makes cookies for every group (pic. 1). On Wedneday, we organised a "chocolate event" for the Year9-s. Apparently, this is a traditional event to welcome them into the Youth Fellowship. We had a chocolate quiz including the correct guessing of five different chocolate flavours (pic. 2), played some games, decorated our own cookie (pic. 3) and yeah, ate a looot of chocolate. ;) Also on Wednesday, we went into St. Peter's primary school to run the "Adventure club" for the Year-6s during their lunch break. From now one, we'll be there once a week to run some fun sessions about friendship, bullying, emotions or what secondary school will be like. I really enjoyed working with this age group.
Last Sunday, I did the talk in our Youth service "Encounter". This term we are looking at Bible characters. I spoke about Esther, referring to Esther 4:1-17. Like last time, I included my talk for everyone who wants to read it:
Esther – saying yes to God
The book of Esther – a Disney movie?
A young woman, being part of a minority, living in the capital of the Persian Empire when the King deposes his queen. In order to find another queen, he sets up a beauty contest. The woman is convinced to conceal her nationality and to enter the contest. She wins and is therefore made queen of Persia. Sounds like a typical Disney movie, doesn't it? But there’s more to the story of Esther than one might think. In the end, it is up to her to save many people from death by revealing her Jewish identity, even if she may have to give her life for it. This brings us to the central question: In what situations do we find it difficult to obey God and to openly say we follow and worship Jesus?
The terrible order to kill all the Jewish people in Persia has brought great horror and fear of death upon the Jewish people! Mordecai too stands in front of the palace gate with tears in his eyes, dressed in sackcloth and soiled with ashes. When the message reaches Esther, she learns here in one fell swoop that her people will be wiped out and that the date for it has already been set. And then Mordecai challenges her: You shall stop it! How was that supposed to work? How was she, of all people, supposed to cope? She as a woman in a thoroughly male-dominated world, in which women only served to embellish life! So, Esther was in trouble: on the one hand she should and wanted to save her people, on the other hand this meant putting her own life at risk. Mordecai as a person who loves her, understands her feelings. What does He say to her?
God behind the scenes
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” When Esther hears Mordecai's words (in a certain sense also the words of God), it strengthens her faith and gives her courage. She realises that it is really no coincidence that she of all people, a Jew, has become queen. God has a plan for her to fulfil. Before Esther does anything, she asks God for help while fasting and praying during the next three days. And she knows: God, who loves his people so much, will certainly not abandon them! God's people have already experienced this many times (Exodus from Egypt). Esther can firmly trust in this mighty God! The book of Esther is a remarkable book because God’s name is not mentioned once. Therefore, it is an invitation to look for God's activity and: God's intentions become visible, even if behind the scenes. Especially Mordecai understands God’s sovereignty and highlights God’s continuing care for His people. So why not look for God’s activity in your own life? Do you find God’s name is missing? It might be worth, to take a look behind the scenes.
Saying “Yes” to God
After her time of fasting, Esther gives herself completely into God's hands: “If I perish, I perish.” The spiritual decision is made here in chapter 4. Esther decides to go to the king, trusting in God. This step of faith leads to the saving of many lives.
Esther: What a courageous woman! She found herself at a fork in the road with only two options before her: to offer herself as God’s instrument or to deny her identity as one of God’s people. And she sais “Yes” to God.
In what situations do we find it difficult to openly confess or obey God?
Back in school I didn't want people to ask me if I was a believer. I then quickly had the feeling of being judged for following Jesus. But what was I judged for? Among other things I am quite certain that in a Christian life you will find love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And when I understood that, I suddenly didn't want to get rid of my Christian label anymore.
Serving God
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Where has God placed you at this particular time in your life? What may be reasons for which God has placed you here? Placed you into this church, your school, your family, your clique? I believe that God has put us into these positions to serve Him. But what does it mean to serve God?
In 1 Peter 4:10-11 it says: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” Each one of us has a gift. You have a gift, received from God and He wants you to use it! Some of you might be good at DIY-stuff, others are gifted in sports. Some of us are leaders, some are supporters, some listeners. Hospitality, caring and loyalty can be God-given gifts as well. We tend to think that we aren’t as gifted as others. We see ourselves as normal and others as special. But the truth is: All the gifts come straight from God’s heart and He wants us to use them to serve God and to serve others.
Do not be afraid of saying “Yes” to God. Do not be afraid of given a label as belonging to Jesus. Sometimes we, like Esther, have to take paths we don't want to take. It is good to be able to trust in this: God goes with you. Search for God, trust Him and use your gifts to say “Yes”.