Feeling a little picked off, ticked off, and worn out?

It’s no wonder. We’re on the radar. We’re that bullseye on the target.

Here’s why…

I love the book of Esther. Can’t wait to meet her someday. She’s the true Queen of Hearts.

Through the providence of God, she saved an entire people from total annihilation.

I’m as appalled as you are something like that could even happen, yet we know it wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last. Anne Frank’s diary gave us a tragic glimpse.

So how does this relate to us Gentiles?

Are we surprised Christians are continually persecuted? Martyred. Singled out in schools, universities, in the work place, in the media… Targeted.

There’s an undeniable connection on how this relates to us.

Believers believe this…

Gentiles have been adopted into the family of God. In Christ, we are part of a chosen people, a holy nation. We have been grafted into the lineage of Christ. We are of Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise. It’s divine and It’s God’s plan and it’s only through His grace and the blood of Jesus Christ. It’s our heritage along with whatever other bloodline heritage flows through our veins.

That makes me an Italian/Irish Christian girl with a Jewish heritage. I’m a combo of lasagna, corned beef, and matzah ball soup.  A smorgasbord of culture transcendent of time.

So that picked off, ticked off, worn out version of us?

We need to recognize what’s happening here. The enemy is targeting us, again. And again. And again. We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers. We know that, right? Yet, our foot keeps getting caught in the barbed wire fence.

It’s time to walk free, walk tall, and walk worthy of the calling.

I know. I’m right there with you. I’ve used the term “throw in the towel” a few times this week.

But we’re not done. We’re just getting started. Hang on to your towel.

We are in good company and we are family. We were made for community so let’s not go isolating ourselves. We don’t want to make the target even easier to hit. Esther didn’t cower in a corner. She didn’t hide away alone. She called on people to fast and pray with her. For three days people fasted and prayed. We have a lot to learn about asking for prayer and denying the flesh, can I get an amen?

And we know how to deflect those fiery darts, don’t we? Ephesians 5 and 6.

Walk in Love, Walk in Light, and put on your armor. Every day.

I love when Esther says, “If I perish, I perish.” Courage comes from the Lord. Our flesh may fail, but our inheritance is imperishable.

We are targeted because we are chosen. We are singled out because we are set apart for a purpose.

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32

Our mission may not look like Esther’s, but it’s every bit as important. Keep seeking the face of God, keep persevering in the face of persecution, and keep serving to glorify Him, because remember this:

It’s harder to hit a moving target.

For more about sanctification, check out this post on Desiring God: http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-the-spirit-sanctifies

Grace & Peace,

By the way…

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