More teamwork

Today's spiritual wealth is drawn from Esther 8:11-17:

The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies. The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

The couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on by the king's command. And the edict was also issued in the citadel of Susa.

Mordecai left the king's presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.

These verses describe a moment during a very Nazi-like period of Jewish history. They were strangers in a country that didn't want them around, who planned to exterminate them. A decree was given to the people to plunder and kill the Jews. If they resisted, they would be killed. Mordecai was an older Jew whose niece was the new queen of Iran, so he pulled some strings, but ultimately it was God who delivered them.

If your people were about to be exterminated and you cried out to God, how would you expect him to answer? It's the ultimate "What would Jesus do" question. I'd picture him riding in on a cloud, shooting balls of fire like he did in the old testament, blowing up my enemies in cool claps of Christian thunder. Or maybe the earth would open up and swallow them all up in some kind of holy earthquake. Or maybe Angels would come down in some kind of chariot of fire, or maybe a minivan of fire nowadays, and start cutting off people's heads with swords that look like lightsabers. I'm sure all of you would picture similar scenes of deliverance. Instead of all of these fantastic supernatural solutions, though, all the Jews got was basically a bronze age version of the second amendment. They were allowed to arm themselves. That's it?

That was it. That was all it took. The people not only pretty much left the Jews alone, but they even joined their side. Even though the Jews had to do something to defend themselves, God's blessing did all of the heavy lifting. Even though God doesn't need us, he likes to let us play a role in his world. That's so cool.

God wanted so much to share his joy of creation and authority that he put us into a world that requires our constant interaction. We can't just lay back on a cloud and wait for chocolate bon bons to fly into our mouths. Who would want to? Even the God of the universe, the one being in all eternity who is entitled to sit around and do nothing, doesn't choose inaction. He still sculpts and shepherds his creation, just as he allows us to do. It's beautiful.

Not everything happens in a thunderclap. Some things take time and work. Why didn't God build his own house instead of having the Jews labor for generations in building his temple? Why didn't he just teleport them to the promised land instead of having them walk all over to get there? He could do a better job in all of those things, but the doing is the important element and that's something he's honored us with taking part in.

If you encounter problems where it seems like God has abandoned you to handle things on your own, he may actually be doing the heavy lifting where you can't see. Be honored that he's given you a place in his universe, and that he's even allowed you to take a role in who you are. Authority seems like work to people who aren't sitting on the sidelines watching it. Creation takes energy and effort. God made us in his image so that we can enjoy many of the things he enjoys. Rejoice in that instead of grumbling. It's awesome!