Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:15-17 (KJV)
Sticky Details
Esther was an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai. She was Jewish in a Persian empire, a minority in a foreign land. When the king searched for a new queen, Esther was chosen — not through political maneuvering, but through grace and favor. She didn't ask for special treatment; she simply followed counsel and trusted the process.
Reflection
Esther found herself in a position of influence she never sought. Have you ever been placed in a role or opportunity you didn't plan for? How did you respond?
Today, look at your current roles — at work, at home, in your community. Ask: "Why might God have placed me here? What influence do I have that I'm not using?"