An Unlikely Valentine's Post, Part I

First thing first, I’m the realest.

Just kidding. A little Saturday morning Iggy never hurt anyone.

First thing first (for real, this time), this post has absolutely nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. Don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.

I have not posted in a while, and I must admit, it has been an act of disobedience. There have been many things I have shared with close friends that I know I should share on a more public forum, and I just haven’t wanted to.

If you’ll allow me to be honest, I don’t particularly enjoy writing about my race, rape, family history, pride, brokenness, or any of the other things I struggle with in my daily life. In fact lately, sharing posts doesn’t even bring excitement, but I will say it does bring relief.

When I feel burdened to write, I know God has laid something specific on my heart because someone out there needed to read it. It’s not about me, though I learn more and more about myself, and others, each time I post. I have come to understand that I am in a very unique position with a very broad range of friends and associates. Because I never know who will read what, I pray each time that my vulnerability will point to Jesus and give God the glory.

Another quick caveat: I very rarely (as in almost never)….(as in this might be like the third time in history)...post on my blog in a devotional-type format, so for those who hate it, don’t be worried, and those that love it, don’t get used to it.



Now that all of that business is out of the way, this morning’s post comes from some things revealed to me as I was reading in the book of Esther. Esther is one of my favorite books to go back to when I am between studies because it’s short(ish) and inspiring. And let’s cut to the chase: after a long week, on Saturday morning I want short (in the sense that I can read from the beginning to the end in one sitting) and inspiring.

One of the most interesting things I find about the book of Esther is that God is not mentioned at all. Not once in all ten chapters will you read His name, yet we can clearly see how His hand was weaving together such a beautiful story for His people.

Most of the time when we hear Esther, we think of the heroine who was born “for such a time as this.” Her very life was created for a greater purpose than anything she had planned, growing up as a Jewish orphan and becoming Queen to a man who ruled 127 provinces in ancient Persia. Her courage is to be admired and is the footstool upon which many girl’s Bible studies and women’s weekend retreats rest upon.

And all of that is fantastic, but Esther is not the only person we can learn from in this story. This morning, my attention was turned to Haman. Dirty, scummy Haman, with whom I am shameful to admit that I identify more than with Esther some days.

Haman is introduced in the third chapter and in true villain fashion, he wastes no time making you despise him. In six swift verses, we learn that Haman was promoted above all of the king’s other officials, the king had commanded the entire royal staff to bow in Haman’s presence, Mordecai (Esther’s cousin and caregiver) would not bow down, the other members of the royal staff snitched on Mordecai and Haman made it his mission to destroy Mordecai.

The Bible makes sure to tell us that Haman was filled with rage when he learned Mordecai would not pay homage to him, and this brings me to my first point:
1) Nothing good comes from rage.
There is a very clear distinction between righteous anger and sinful rage. We are allowed (and should!) get angry about the sins of this world. To borrow from a friend’s status posted yesterday: 

“I truly wish the Facebook community was more upset about:
-200 women raped in Sudan-19 killed by Taliban in Pakistan-rising toll of young men dead in Ukraine-9,000 dead from Ebola-3 students dead in Chapel Hill-almost weekly shootings on college campuses nationwide-daily ISIS attacks worldwide
Than about a RIDICULOUS book-turned-movie."

Now before you get all up in arms, neither she —nor I— are approving the movie. And if you want to know my feelings about it, they haven’t changed since I blogged about the book two and a half years ago in my post 50 Shades of Grey-ce.

I am sharing this to say there are issues (and quite obviously this is not an exclusive list), that should break our hearts and make us angry. Angry enough to do something constructive, something that builds our communities up, rather than tears them down. Angry enough to do things that show love where love cannot be found. Angry enough to cry out to and lean on Christ.

Rage, on the other hand, is downright sinful. Rage purposes to harm others. Rage is reckless. Rage has no place in a Christ-follower's life.

Haman was filled with rage and because of that, devised a plan to kill not just the man who offended him, but the entire race of people who shared that man’s ethnic identity. You have got to be kidding me. But as wild as that sounds, how similar is that to present day events?

Now, let’s talk about why Haman was filled with rage: because Mordecai did not bow to him. Ok, Kanye. This is where my second point comes in:
2) Never think too highly of yourself, even if others put you on a pedestal.


In Haman’s defense, it was King Ahasuerus (also known as King Xerxes) who decreed that the entire royal staff at the King’s Gate should bow and pay homage to Haman when he was promoted. This is similar to when Daniel and his friends (at separate times) refused to bow to or pray to anyone who was not God and Daniel was thrown into a pit with lions and his friends into a fire.

The thing is, though we may have earthly titles given to us by man, our position comes from God alone. When we allow our earthly status to elevate us above others, we become blinded to our heavenly status, and furthermore, cannot be used for the Kingdom.

People in authority should be respected, but the only One we should worship is The Lord.

That being said, if God has given you authority over others, it is your responsibility not to abuse that power, or you can be assured that He will strip it from you.

As we continue reading through Esther, Haman continues to disappoint with his behavior. Haman goes to the king and blatantly shares his plan to decimate an entire people group, even as he admits that they are scattered and living in isolation (essentially meaning they pose no threat to anyone and are essentially minding their own business). The king obliges and gives Haman freedom to take care of the situation as he sees fit.

When Mordecai learns of this, he goes to his cousin, Queen Esther, and implores her to approach her husband on behalf of their race. As part of her plan, she decides to prepare a banquet for the king and a guest of honor: Haman.

Re-enter Scumbag of the Year. Upon learning this, Haman runs home in excitement to share the news with his friends and family, but not before passing Mordecai at the King’s Gate as he chose not to rise or tremble in Haman’s presence. (Go Mordecai!) 

The one thing I can give Haman credit for is the Bible says he restrained himself and went on home. Self-control is something I am working on daily and though I have come a long way, I have quite a long way to go. If Haman can do it, I can do it. That may be a sad bit of encouragement, but encouragement, nonetheless.

To continue reading this Unlikely Valentine's Post, click the link.