Just A ... ?
“Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.” (Esther 2:17-18)
In the year 2020, we simply can’t imagine things like harems and being taken away from our families because of the king’s order. This woman had little to no control of her own journey. She was pretty, smart, and must have had a lot of what we call “starch in her spine.” But … she was just a girl.
She had to be scared, overwhelmed, lonely, and unsure. She didn’t walk into the king’s court on day 1 with an agenda. She hadn’t studied politics, memorized statutes, or even heard the word activism. She had no idea what her future held beyond crowns and servants. She wasn’t groomed all of her life to be queen. Esther was just a girl.
In third grade, we were tasked to write a book. Our books had cardboard covers decorated with scraps of old wallpaper from sample books. I was a very odd kid; so I submitted a book of Haiku’s in a book shaped like a Japanese cherry blossom, because the theme had to be carried out in every possible way. The point is: ever since then I’ve dreamed of being a writer. I’d love to write about sports, Jesus, my life, overcoming obstacles – well, just all the things. But, I always come back to the place where I think: but I’m just a girl.
Here is the deal. We are all way more than what we tell ourselves. We have God pouring into us every single moment – all the while whispering encouragement into our ear. Esther wasn’t raised to be queen; she was just willing in her circumstances. She wasn’t super human; she was a girl.
What are you ”just a”? Just a human? Just a worker? Let’s take away the “just a” mentality and remember who we really are. We are a child of the King. We can do anything He sets in our path or on our hearts. Yes. Yes, we can … He isn’t just a god; He is the one true God. And He never sees you as a “just a” … remember that!
By Carrie Peterson
Carrie is happiest with her people and a pen in hand!
In the year 2020, we simply can’t imagine things like harems and being taken away from our families because of the king’s order. This woman had little to no control of her own journey. She was pretty, smart, and must have had a lot of what we call “starch in her spine.” But … she was just a girl.
She had to be scared, overwhelmed, lonely, and unsure. She didn’t walk into the king’s court on day 1 with an agenda. She hadn’t studied politics, memorized statutes, or even heard the word activism. She had no idea what her future held beyond crowns and servants. She wasn’t groomed all of her life to be queen. Esther was just a girl.
In third grade, we were tasked to write a book. Our books had cardboard covers decorated with scraps of old wallpaper from sample books. I was a very odd kid; so I submitted a book of Haiku’s in a book shaped like a Japanese cherry blossom, because the theme had to be carried out in every possible way. The point is: ever since then I’ve dreamed of being a writer. I’d love to write about sports, Jesus, my life, overcoming obstacles – well, just all the things. But, I always come back to the place where I think: but I’m just a girl.
Here is the deal. We are all way more than what we tell ourselves. We have God pouring into us every single moment – all the while whispering encouragement into our ear. Esther wasn’t raised to be queen; she was just willing in her circumstances. She wasn’t super human; she was a girl.
What are you ”just a”? Just a human? Just a worker? Let’s take away the “just a” mentality and remember who we really are. We are a child of the King. We can do anything He sets in our path or on our hearts. Yes. Yes, we can … He isn’t just a god; He is the one true God. And He never sees you as a “just a” … remember that!
By Carrie Peterson
Carrie is happiest with her people and a pen in hand!
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2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job Rejection
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us WorthyGrace Seeks OutGrace ExtendedUnconditional GraceNovember 3, 2020 | HopeGod Is ConsistentNovember 2, 2020 | Never Alone
November
November 4, 2020 | Stand the HeatNosy NeighborsUnintended ConsequencesCultivating a Biblical View of Sorrow in the Midst of a Global PandemicIt's About MoneyBeing ShrewdAre You Rich?PrioritiesThe Big IdeaThe Bigger PictureDifficult SilenceDifficult AnswersReverent HonestyHumble WaitingFrowning ProvidenceLove One AnotherGod's Love Is...Write It DownTalk It OutPandemic FatiqueHappy Thanksgiving!Stuff-MartSilenceFocusing On The EternalKnowledge of God is a Prerequisite of Faith
December
Praising God by Remembering His FaithfulnessThe Relationship Between Fear and FaithThe Transformation of Affirming FaithThe Freedom of HumilityFaith In The StormThe Adventure of AdventA Sure FoundationA Long SilenceA Divine MessengerA Doubting ResponseGod RemembersChristmas Is Still Worth CelebratingNothing New Under The SunNazareth?Highly Favored OneNow THAT'S An Understatement!He KNOWS You!Mary's SongReading Like An Ancient HebrewGo Tell It On The MountainWonder In The FamiliarOur High PriestThe Horn of SalvationTo My Grandmothers, With LoveMerry Christmas!Hope In JesusThree DaysNow I Can Die in PeaceWait, What?Rejection