PURPOSE AND SELFLESSNESS

Beyond self

 

Every man created and living on earth was designed by God for a specific task or assignment. Purpose is the reason for our being or existence and in living to fulfill our purpose, we take up responsibilities that may not always be for ourselves, but for the benefits of others. Some people are faced with moments where they annexed between putting themselves first or deciding for purpose and posterity. Decision making in such instances is not always rosy, especially in a very dicey and difficult situation, such as in a case between two crossroads and you cannot determine the best way to go.

A biblical scenario can be seen in the character of Esther the queen, a woman of purpose and selflessness. (Esther chapters 3-7) She suddenly found herself in a dilemma to save her race. She did not orchestrate the problem that brought a judgment of extermination on her race. The clash was between Mordecai and Haman, but Esther found herself as the one to fix the deadly sentence on her people.  She had the option to hold her peace, not because she did not care about her people, but because going before the king at that particular time was highly ill-timed (due to the demands of the law of the land).

Mordecai’s instance was for Esther to intervene by all means, reminding her of purpose (“maybe you came into this kingdom for such a time as this”). The statement in parenthesis made by Mordecai was a call to action for Esther. By virtue of her position as the queen, the demand to rescue her people has been placed on her. Speaking to the king on behalf of her people meant she will take the bullet if the king does not hold out his sceptre. Esther chose the path of selflessness and was ready to mediate for her people. She did not cower but took the courage to go to the King. However, she did not do so except she first sought the intervention of God in the affairs of men by engaging in prayers herself and also coveting the prayers of her people. Though she engaged in praying, her decision was resolute to go to the king. She had put her people before herself even at the cost of her own life. She acted in the face of death, turned the tides, not just for her but for humanity. Interestingly, she saved her people and she lived as well.

When purpose calls on you as the one to bell the cat for other people, you can look beyond yourself and be willing to stick your chest out for the good of others. When opportunity or leadership is bestowed on you as the person to turn the tide of the majority, decide for posterity and humanity regardless of the simile inconvenience. See beyond yourself to just reach out your hand, it will touch many lives and the hand will likely not be broken.

 

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