There is a story in bible about three people: Esther, Haman and King Xerxes. (You can find it in the book of Esther, chapter 7.)

Each of these characters is led by something, or someone. I believe we are all led by something or someone, and we each get to decide what or who that person or thing is.

In this blog post I want to look at the leadership of each character, because I believe that there is a question I am supposed to ask you today.

It’s not a question to condemn, rather one to help set you free so that you can draw closer to God. It is one simple question, with four small words:

Who is leading you?

Are you led by fear?

Years ago, my dad took my younger brother and I on a glass-bottomed boat.

(We were in Spain and it seemed like a fun thing to do.)

My mum has never liked boat rides… or swimming. So, we said: “Adios mama!” and left my lovely mum waving on a wooden pier!

Our journey began… but the waves were choppy and our glass-bottomed boat experience wasn’t as fun as we had hoped.

My brother seemed sea-sick and my memories of that trip were mainly watching various panic-stricken faces as our boat edged closer and closer towards a rocky shore.

Safe to say we were utterly relieved when we finally got off that horrid boat and stepped onto safe land.

Yet, I remember getting off that boat and seeing another family soaked head to toe in sea water. Instead of sitting tight inside the boat, they had embraced the storm and allowed waves to drench their bodies, whilst sitting on the top, open deck.

They were elated. Delighted with their boat journey.

I feel like I needed to tell you this story today because I believe that some of us are sat watching panic-stricken faces and others are seeking the face of God.

Some of us are just plain terrified. Lost in worry. Sea-sick and surrounded by fear.

There was a guy in the bible called Haman. He had executed a plan to eradicate all Jews.

When Haman’s plan was discovered by his king, he was terrified. Haman was quite literally scared for his life:

King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”

Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 

Esther 7: 5-6, NIV.

Thing is: When your fate is in the hands of other people – fear leads. Yet, when your fate is in the hands of God – even when it looks like you are going to die – you don’t need to fear.

You can enjoy the waves. Enjoy the crazy boat ride.

You can enjoy the ride because ultimately you know that your fate is sealed by a kind and good God who loves you and will not let you down.

I am not saying things will go exactly as you want them to – I am saying that God will show up.

Some of us are in a place where God has to come through. We need a miracle to push us away from the rocks and onto a safe shore.

I just want to encourage you – do not be overwhelmed with fear right now. Stay focused. The bible reads:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV.

Don’t allow terror and fear to lead you today. Be strong, because God is with you.

Are you led by emotion?

In Esther chapter 7, King Xerxes is wholly led by an emotion called “rage”:

The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. 

Esther 7: 6, NIV.

The king said, “Impale him […]” So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

Esther 7: 9-10, NIV, my brackets.

Thing is: Just yesterday, I was tempted to be led by emotion. I wanted to succumb to feelings of rejection: pity, insecurity and self-doubt.

But, if we are led by emotion we will miss out on the good stuff. Emotion nearly led me to a place of wallowing instead of celebrating.

It is about time I told my emotions to stop. They don’t get to rule me and they don’t get to rule you either.

In the bible, King David tells his soul:

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Psalm 43:5, NIV.

He tells His emotions that He will be led by His saviour. He tells His emotions that they do not get to reign his life.

I’ve faced moments where my emotions simply feel overwhelming. I’ve had panic attacks, I’ve felt despair and I have wallowed in self-pity before.

When you are drowning in emotion it can feel hard to pull yourself out. I am not telling you to supress emotion or ignore it. Rather, I am saying bring it to the light. Call it out for what it is.

I am saying tell someone how you are feeling. Maybe you need to call someone and tell them that despair is not going to rob your hope for one second longer.

Decide that the emotion is not going to win.

Take a step that says: “Rage is not going to steal my peace anymore.”

Just don’t let your emotion lead you. Instead, be the leader of your emotions.

Are you led by God?

God can change anything in a moment.  

Back to our bible story: In Esther 7, queen Esther had waited ages for a God-given moment in which she could tell her king about Haman’s plans to eradicate the Jews.

She had prayed, fasted, arranged fancy meals… she had trusted that her God would provide her with a moment. She believed God would change things.

She didn’t really have a clue how God would change things, but she knew He would come through for her and her people.

You and I need to remember that our God can change everything in one simple moment. We need to believe that today might be the day he gives us that opportunity we’ve been praying and fasting for.

Please, don’t give up. Don’t stop believing that God changes stuff. He works it all out for the good of those that love Him. He is always in control. He knows you and He knows what is going to happen in your life.

Don’t give up believing.

When queen Esther’s moment comes, she knows the importance of it. She says:

Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favour with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. ⁴ For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

Esther 7:3, NIV.

It strikes me that this is a woman whose request could change history.

She seems to know that the fate of her people rests on her bravery in this one moment. In this moment, it doesn’t matter to her if her people are treated badly; she has one thing on her mind and that is to plead with her king for the lives of her people.

She is a brave woman that trusts in her God for one simple moment.

As I write this I think there are those of us that need to trust God will lead us to one simple moment. One moment that can change our history.

Be brave like Esther and believe God will come through for you on this one.

Conclusion

Check in with yourself now – are you led by a spirit of fear, by a rouge emotion or by a God that can change anything in any given moment?

Give yourself a second to readjust. Because life can seem terrifying when we let fear win, life can seem erratic when we let emotions get the best of us, but life can be simply wonderful when we keep believing.

Stand firm and believe that God will come through in one simple moment.