To be like Esther -- a post by Beth Bojarski, MAD Camp Session 3 Chaplain

Last year I drove across the country with my boys, then ages nine and three. We outlined our route based on national parks we wanted to see, identified possible overnight towns, guessed on how long we could stand to be in the car each day, shared our plans with family and friends to get their thoughts, packed the car, filled up on gas, and pulled out of the driveway. There were roads and experiences we hadn’t planned on but took anyway and some we’d hoped to see but didn’t, there were things we forgot to pack, we got sick of each other some days and couldn’t get enough others, and we learned a tremendous amount along the way. We found adventure.

For the last two weeks I’ve been sitting and wrestling with the story of Esther, walking alongside Music and Drama III campers who have outdone themselves learning and performing Bow Down, a musical based on the biblical story. But as impressive as their theater talent is, their curiosity about the book of Esther, it’s place in the Bible (especially since it never mentions God), how it’s been interpreted and retold by playwrights, theologians, and the vegetables in Veggie Tales, and what in the world we can learn from the story is more inspiring.

Even with differing family structures, ages, genders, faith stories, and life experiences, the campers, counselors, and I all agreed that we each have the capacity and strength to make a difference in the name of love and courage like Esther did. Life is a series of journeys: we plan and prepare, we check in with our loved ones, we figure out what is most important to us, and we put it into practice. Over and over again.

The turning point in the musical the campers perform is a duet by Esther and Mordecai, where Mordecai asks Esther: “Is it a time like this you’ve been created for?” Mary Oliver asks a similar question at the conclusion of one of her best known poems: “Tell me what is it you plan to do | with your one wild and precious life?”

During one of our chaplain times, I shared with campers that God is often attributed to the coincidences in the story of Esther even though God is never mentioned or named: curious timing, overheard conversations, courage at just the right time. I tend to agree with this interpretation. The story of Esther is a story of journey – Esther’s journey and the journey of the Jews throughout the Old Testament. With her one wild and precious life, Esther plans and prepares, she consults with and remains loyal to her family and friends, she clings to her ancestry, culture, and race, she packs her things, and she steps out into the world.

Esther’s story is beautiful and terrible, a lot like ours. And just like in our stories, God shows up. Maybe God is in the coincidences. Maybe God is wisdom or courage or conversations or connections. What I am convinced of is that God is here, loving us, supporting us, catching us, redeeming us. Esther’s story invites us into journey each and every day: plan a little, love our people, pack some (sometimes proverbial) bags, and be open to adventure. We have been created for a time like this and God will always be with us.