At What Cost?

My parents used to say, “Anything worth having is worth fighting for.” Sometimes the journey to destiny is just that, a fight. When Esther was selected as a candidate to become queen, she spent an entire year being scrutinized and groomed before she got the crown (Esther 1 and 2). I imagine some of the other hopefuls undermined and sniped at her. Esther could not allow herself to be distracted. Passing the initial tests earned her a crown, but the crown positioned her to save her people. She had to overcome doubt, fear of disappointing herself, and fear of death. 

There are tough challenges on your road to destiny. Will you push through the things that block your path? Are you willing to pay the price? Will you fight to stay focused? Please, don't give up. You have what it takes to keep moving. Ask yourself, “What am I willing to suffer?” Queen Esther was confronted by her elder (Cousin Mordecai) who reminded her that if she would not go to the King uninvited, God would use someone else. She humbled herself and admitted it would be impossible to move forward without guidance from the Lord and the support of her people. 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 4:16). It was a do or die moment.

There is no getting to destiny without opposition. Esther contended with enemies. Her determination was bolstered not only by prayers, but eventually, the King’s favor.  She kept moving even though she was scared. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. Don't let fear control you.  

The cost of destiny is the sacrifice of your plans and desires if they are not in line with what God has called you to do. It is a persistent and perpetual posture of humility, even when it hurts. It is an unshakable resolve to move forward no matter the price. It is understanding that you need good relationships with those above you (leaders) those beside you (peers) and those you serve. The ultimate cost of destiny is relinquishing your will for God’s.

The Last Dance

Graceful fingers slightly curve

Arms above, her

Head tilts back, neck elongates

Body snaps,

And twirls, then twirls again

Leg goes up, extends, around

Then down

To touch the ground.

She moves like notes on melodies

Entwined, emotive symphonies

Divine

Her heartbeat fills the room

Ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom,

Gliding,

Smooth.

It touches everyone,

A flow

From head to toe.

We feel it.

Then, she smiles,

And we know.

We know her passion to

Awaken dreams

Thought dead in those

Who’d accepted

Defeat instead.

“Rise up!

Get moving!

You’ve got this!

You can do it!”

That is what she said.

And they rose

Moved

Dreamed

Achieved

Believed

Because

She knew it.

Soft arms

Fiercely embrace,

A sweet smile

Emanating grace,

Beauty

Spontaneously unfolds

And wraps a multitude

Brings them together,

One.

Laughing,

Dancing

Loving

Being,

One.

Childish giggles

Echo as they

Run among

Those gone before.

They gaze in awe

In rooms where

History’s laid out,
At things once old,

Now new to them.

Rotary phone?

A typewriter, and

Feathered hats?

Flapper dress and

Polished Mary Janes

Crossing lanes -

To meet?

“Yes,” she said,
"Yes."

“Don’t you

forget -

To remember.”

She kneels

at the end

of the number.

Arms outstretched,

Head lifted

Smile radiant

Eyes closed.

It was her final pose

The last dance we would see

Now every move
 is Heavenly.

She’s twirling with the angels.

In Memory of  Brenda Cooper