EQUIPPING SERVANT LEADERS
“‘Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither
eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After
that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.’ Mordecai
then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him” (Esther 4:16-17).
A young, Jewish girl named Esther is left an orphan. Her uncle, Mordecai, agrees to
raise her and unknowingly prepares Esther to be a servant leader who would one day
save her people from slaughter. Esther attracts the attention of King Ahasuerus and
becomes a queen of great favor both of the people over whom she rules and the king who
places her on the throne. The story of Queen Esther shows a leader who leads with great
humility, yet also leads with an example of great courage. She gives directions to others
that she is willing to follow herself; she is willing to risk her own life for the possibility
that she may save others; and her sincerity inspires others to follow her. We don’t
specifically read the name of God in this biblical story, yet I can’t help but imagine
Queen Esther’s time of fasting as one of unbroken prayer for wisdom and discernment
regarding the great task set before her. There’s a quote attributed to our 16th president,
Abraham Lincoln that speaks to Queen Esther’s leadership style: “I have been driven
many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to
go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”1 Whether
these words were uttered by Lincoln or not, they sum up a servant leader named Esther,
a woman of great courage who led her people by beginning from a position of humility.
Lord of heaven and earth and all they contain, may we never forget that a leader leads
best when beginning from a posture of humble fasting and prayer; and who can then
go forward with confidence and courage knowing they have discerned the heart of
God. Amen.
Judy Ransbottom-Stallons
Pastor of Midway UMC
1
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/08/did-abraham-lincoln-actually-say-that-obamaquote.html