I wonder how many opportunities I have missed because fear of rejection kept me from taking a risk?

I’m reading the story of Esther this morning. This brave young woman had to be encouraged by her uncle to take a risk. Now, her risk was far graver than any risk we will probably ever have to face. She risked her position as queen or worse her very life. At first she was reluctant to take the risk. But the wise words of her Uncle Mordecai encouraged her and I think it can bring encouragement to us as well.

1. Esther feared death. It was a real, possible outcome. We fear embarrassment, rejection, disappointment. But as Mordecai reminded Esther, let me remind you, “Remaining silent will not prevent you from feeling those emotions.” Life is full of rejection, disappointment, embarrassing moments. You will a lifetime of regret and bitterness if you don’t step out in faith and take a risk. You will never find contentment until you are doing what you have been called to do. And to do that you must take a risk.

2. You were called for such a time as this. Those desires, those ideas, were placed on your heart for this season. It’s not a coincidence. Esther never dreamed God could use her to save a nation. What you may see as small and inconsequential, may bring the very thing God uses to set thousands free. Step out in faith because you were called to such a time as this.

We must be like Esther and say, “if I perish, I perish”. If you are rejected, it’s not the end of your world. We must rest our hope on this one fact: we are accepted in the beloved. Man’s rejection or acceptance of us should never define us. We are sons and daughters of the Most High!

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:14, 16 NIV)