I cannot wait to meet Esther of the Bible one day in person. Of course, I want to meet Jesus first, then I really want to hug my sister’s neck, and all my other family there, but after all the important reunions, I want to meet Esther.

Her story intrigues me. I love her wisdom and the favor she receives, but honestly, I can’t imagine how beautiful she must have been. Though beautiful, her story tells of a girl who had been orphaned, adopted by a relative, and chosen to be taken to the king’s castle never to return to ordinary life even if she weren’t chosen by the king to be his queen. There is a sadness in her story, to me—not only would her people face annihilation and she death, Esther’s life was changed forever simply because she was uniquely beautiful. Makes me kind of thankful I’m not that unique. (Smile.)

It’s not Esther’s outward beauty that draws me in. I don’t think it’s why she was so favored by everyone she met. There was more to this beauty queen than meets the eye. If we sat down with Esther with a cup of tea, she would probably give us tips on how to be beautiful within. In a sea of beauty queens Esther rose to the top because her inner beauty radiated. It wasn’t her face but her heart that won the hearts of all around.

If we could sit with Esther for tea, I believe this is the advice she would give:

1. Be humble.
2. Be patient.
3. Be brave.
4. Be generous.
5. Trust God

BE HUMBLE

Esther was humble. A few clues in her Bible story reveal this beautiful characteristic. One is Hegai’s favor. I can only imagine how demanding some of the beauty contestants were. I was never in a beauty pageant, but I’ve watched Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock. Demanding beauties filled that movie. Just think of all the estrogen flying around in the citadel! But scripture tells us the moment Esther came into Hegai’s care, he favored her. Could it have been her humble, once orphaned heart that drew her to him?

Another clue of her humility rose when time came for Esther to go to the king. The contestants could take anything they wanted, but she only took what Hegai instructed. I think only a humble heart is willing to accept advice and trust others.

BE PATIENT

Not only was Esther humble, she was also patient. Did you know that it was four years before she was called into the king’s chambers? The Bible doesn’t tell us the exact timeline of when she entered the citadel until her night with the king finally arrived, but we know it was at least one year after entry into this contest and four years after Vashti had been dethroned. Ya’ll, I don’t like to wait for the microwave to cook my oatmeal! Esther had to be patient as she waited for her turn. People who possess patience nurture peace. Waiting with angst and demands of others is not patience. Waiting with peace is. That is beautiful.

BE BRAVE

Along with her patience, Esther was brave. Franklin Roosevelt said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” Esther embodied this quote thousands of years before Roosevelt’s lips spoke it. She was afraid when Mordecai first encouraged her to go to the king to petition for the lives of her people. Yet, again, humbly obeying Mordecai, she embraced her position and this assignment. Her actions revealed patience also. Esther waited three days before going to the king. During that time she fasted and prayed, and I believe she waited on God to give her the wisdom she needed to know how to petition the king.

BE GENEROUS

When the moment arose to ask the king for help, rather than groveling at his feet, blurting out the ominous threat to her people, she invited the king to come to dinner. She not only invited the king, but Esther also invited Haman, her enemy. If that is not generous, I’m not sure what is. I know it was part of her plan, but it was a generous plan. The invitation wasn’t for one night only, but it turned into two! Generosity is a beautiful trait. She not only fed the king, but she fed her enemy. Sounds a lot like something Jesus would do.

TRUST GOD

And finally, speaking of Jesus, Esther’s humility, patience, bravery, and generosity all reveal her great trust in God. In my book, Radiant Influence: How an ordinary girl changed the world, I write about Esther and Mordecai’s attitude through out the story. Never once do they blame God or question Him.

“It’s hard for us to comprehend how much the Jewish people believed in their chosen-ness by God, Master of the Universe. Yet, it was this special relationship that gave them the strength and hope when all seemed hopeless. Their faith ran generational blood-lines deep. They had witnessed His salvation of their ancestors and believed in the merciful and powerful character traits of YHWH. They also knew at times they deserved His anger, but they never doubted that they were God’s people like so many of us do when trouble comes our way. They didn’t question His mercy or His goodness. Rather than questioning God, they repented of their sins and trusted God’s forgiveness.”

Esther lived her life trusting God no matter what. “. . . if I perish, I perish.” I don’t think she stepped into the king’s chambers trusting that everything would be fine. No, trusting God does not mean you are assured He will do what you want Him to do, but you trust He is good and faithful no matter what. She had waited on God, fasted and prayed along with all of her people. Empowered by that faith, she put on her royal robe and faced her destiny.

WRAPPING IT UP

So, there are many things we can learn from this beauty queen, tips to ensure our beautiful hearts that bless others. We are all here for such a time as this. Until we can really meet Esther, we’ve got some humble, patient, courageous, generous, and faithful living to do. Be a radiant influence in your marriage, job, and family. Your beauty can change the world.