How to Get What You Want...Esther's Example:

by John Thomas

Romans 12: 1 "Present yourselves as a living sacrifice." She prepared herselfto be beautiful. ( Esther 2:3)
She had a heritage of loyalty to the king. Her uncle Mordecai was faithful to the king. She saw his example. ( Esther 2:21-23) Mordecai was both uncle and servant to the queen. His humbleness is contrasted in this story with Haman's pride. ( Esther 4:17) Esther listens to good advice and acts upon it. ( Esther 4)
She was willing to risk her life to do what was right. ( Esther 4:1 She dressed herself nicely... giving her best. ( Esther 5:1)
She positioned herself and was ready for the job. She had a gameplan and she followed her strategy. She cared enough to think about it and plan it out! ( Esther 5:1-2)
The king asked her what she wanted. She did not show him a list of things she wanted, but rather offered a gift of her own to him. She invited the king to a feast she had prepared for the king and Haman. ( Esther 5:4)
She made her request with a respectful attitude of appreciation f<r his happiness, not her own.. ( Esther 5:8)
She identifies the enemy. ( Esther 7:6) He is killed ( Esther 7:10)
Esther finds an opportunity to serve the people in her life, with her life. She takes full advantage of her opportunity. She doesn't just get up one morning and serve. She prepares herself for service, and plans her service so it will be the best she can
give. We should learn from Esther, and do as she did. We should listen to good advice and surround ourselves with good examples. We also have to know the enemy. We should build our own heri. tage, beginning with what we have been given and add to it! We should plan for success and see that it through until the end.
How do we get what we want? We have to listen, care, plan, prepare, have the right attitude, and give of ourselves as a living sacrifice! If you want something great. . . give something great!