Esther 10:
King Ahasuerus laid tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. All the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was powerful among the Jews and popular with his many kindred, for he sought the good of his people and interceded for the welfare of all his descendants.
Politics is one of my passions. Partly because that’s the way I was raised. Partly it’s because deep down in my bones I’ve internalized the old feminist adage that the political is personal and the personal is political. How we live together on our journey is important. Especially as God calls us to work together to help those who for whatever reason can’t help themselves. Doing this through government is important because it creates efficiencies and more seamless safety nets. If governments fail to do this, it is our collective and individual responsibility to fix issues and problems. The story of Esther teaches us sometimes speaking out is dangerous. Also sometimes not speaking out is even more dangerous. Worth our consideration.
Let us pray …
God who ordained priests, anointed kings and called to prophets: Thank you for your servants who work to fix the problems of this world. Give them wisdom and discernment to do your will. Thank you for prophets, for those who hold those with power responsible to your Word and will. Thank you for those who take on thankless tasks. Thank you for those who toil on the front-lines. Thank you for those who ask for better ways. Thank you for those who serve with no thought to their own privilege. Amen.
