This Is Your Life
Message
-As we gave thanks to God for Lauren and Griffin today, we may have thought about their future and dreams we may have for them. Now I want you to turn and look at your own life. How’s it going? How does it measure up to your expectations?
How do you feel when you hear the words of the song Willie just shared with us?
“This is your life and today is all you’ve got now…”
“This is your life, is it everything you dreamed it would be when your life was younger and you have everything to lose?”
What kind of emotions do those words bring out in you? Do you find yourself on top of the world today? Enjoying life right now. Maybe you’ve even found yourself in a position of unexpected attention and influence? Kinda like becoming homecoming queen..
<royal music>...Michelle McCoy, homecoming queen. What’s that like?
Maybe you’re feeling the opposite way about your life...things aren’t what you expected or hoped for. Facing some crisis….wanting something different, maybe not even sure what that is…
If that sounds like you, let me just encourage you that you are not alone. We’ve all felt that way at times...we do sometimes find that life is not what we expect...that’s how I felt 8 years ago when our oldest son was suffering from sever asthma attacks and it was beginning to dawn on me that I’d need to leave the career in genetics research that I was just starting for the sake of my family….that’s not how things were supposed to work!
I want to give you some fresh perspective on your life today…whatever it is you are feeling as you look at it...by looking at the life of a young Jewish girl named Esther...from the book of Esther which you may have just read about it you’ve been following along with the Bible reading plan in our “Life Journals”
Esther-living in Susa where king of Persia, Xerxes lives. Turbulent time for Israel-homeland overthrown by Assyrians ~100 years previous. Israel scattered throughout ancient world. God’s promise to restore them-waiting. Trying to stay true to cultural/spiritual roots.
Xerxes...powerful military ruler. King of largest empire in the ancient world at that time. Huge banquet during third year of reign. Celebrating success. Some believe He was building morale in preparation for their next great conquest...overthrow upstart group of people-Greeks (eventually overthrew Persia)
Man used to getting his own way. Queen refused to come and display her beauty to all the (drunken/wild..) guests Xerxes had assembled.
Removed royal position, banished from his presence.
Needed new queen. Gathered up beautiful young women from all over Persia Each would spend a night with the king, and one who pleased him most would be queen?
How about that for marriage process? Would you like that?
Esther pleases king and crowed queen. Suddenly young Jewish girl finds self in position of incredible significance. She has also gained much favor with people around her...great influence.
Plot to destroy all Jews. Mordecai begs her for help. She could be killed! Esther 4:14: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” She agrees. King listens, people saved.
Although afraid for her life, Esther saw that maybe her unexpected position and influence were given for a purpose. Bigger story going on. This was part of God’s plan to save and restore His people.
Consider your life again...whether good or bad...bigger story going on. Maybe God has placed you where you are for a reason. Maybe he wants to make use of your life for some larger purpose. Maybe you are going through what you are going through because God wants you to see Him and realize your dependence on Him.
Whether you really believe it or not, I will testify to you that God is real, he is in control and He has great plans for your life.
Paul knew this-Phil 4:11-13. Guy had been beaten, whipped, stoned, imprisoned, shipwrecked...but content because He saw God’s greater purpose in his life.
consider how your life may be fitting into God’s great plans. There is a reason God has brought two young lives into the world...Reason for bringing you here today. Maybe there is some reason that you are where you are and doing what you are doing today. Pray that God would give you renewed strength, confidence, boldness knowing that He has a plan for you.
Ask Him to help you take action to fulfill those plans. and guide your steps.
Celebrating communion today. Time to remember what Jesus has done by giving his life for us. Celebrate what He is doing as He brings us all together in this church. As you think about those things today, celebrate the fact that God has a greater plan for this world. Jesus was part of that plan. Your life can be part of that too, as you choose to follow Him and allow His Spirit to transform your life.
...communion setup…
-Jesus broke bread, drank from cup-new covenant/promise
-tell where to go, what to do.
Communion Song-You Direct My Steps
Closing-Continue Communion with meal
-Celebration of what Jesus is doing in building this church continues with meal down in the gym. Stay, enjoy.