Today’s reading seems to me to deal with fright and peace--fright in the face of problems, and peace in the knowledge of God. In today’s Old Testament reading, Esther is “seized with deathly anxiety.”
What a surprise.
It seems that anxiety is a daily occurrence for most of us these days. In some ways it’s nice to know that our spiritual ancestors of 2000+ years ago had anxiety--it makes us feel less alone. On the other hand, anxiety is no fun--no fun at all. When we have anxiety, we feel set apart--alone, as Esther feels--beset with afflictions. We feel set apart, sometimes, from God.
The good part is that God does answer--the Psalmist tells us that “thou didst answer me, ” and that “my strength of soul thou didst increase. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me.” God knows what we are going through.
Knowing this is a powerful tonic. It works. Some days I drive into work feeling like there’s a gorilla in my office I’ll have to wrestle to get through the day. But then I try to remember why I am here--what I am here to do--and what tools I’ve been given to accomplish my task--among them the support and love of a very understanding God--and things fall into perspective. I share my imagined fears with God, and they seem much less. By the time I get to the office door, I know there’s no gorilla. As Shakespeare wrote (though he meant it for a sweetheart, I don’t think he’ll mind my appropriating it here): “…thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings/ That then I scorn to change my state with kings.”
But there’s a little price for all this good stuff. Matthew tells us: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” So far, so good. But doesn’t this seem a little too, well, easy? Granted, God loves us all and will love us all, always. But should we do something in return? Matthew gives us a gentle hint: “…So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.” Be nice. Understand. Think. Have perspective. Don’t be a jerk, don’t get steamed at the poor slob in the other car who may well have had a day like you nearly had. There, but for the grace of God, etc.…
Or in other words, take a little baby step toward being more like God. It’s not too much to ask, given the returns we get.
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Since its inception in 1997, Online Ministries has been blessed to have myriad members of the Creighton University community offer their personal reflections on the daily scripture readings.
