Devotion: Esther & Corrie ten Boom
Esther & Corrie ten Boom
Please take the time to read Esther 4:13-17
“…for just such a time as this.” These words are known by many. They are written on cute wall hangings and embroidered on pillows, decorating our homes and businesses. They are the words of Mordecai as he urges Esther to find the courage to speak to the King on behalf of the Jewish community. In our time, these words have been used to help us find the courage to face whatever circumstance we may find ourselves in. They remind us that God is working through us to bring His love to this world, and that when we doubt our own abilities, we trust in God to carry us through.
Esther found herself in a sticky situation. She was chosen to be Queen of the Persian Empire very much against her will. As she served the King in this role, she decided it was best to hide her identity as a woman of the Jewish faith. Not long after she received the crown, the well-being of her community was threatened and she had to decide whether it was best for her to come forward on behalf of her community, or stay silent and keep herself safe. In the end she chose to reveal her faith and thereby, saved the entire Jewish community in Susa. We look to Esther as a shero because she chose to trust that God was working through her, even when faced with a perilous situation, one that threatened her own life.
Another woman who holds the title ‘She-ro’ is Corrie ten Boom. Her story takes place in much more recent history than Esther’s, as she lived through World War II. Corrie was imprisoned in two concentration camps, one in Holland, and the other in Germany. She lived through absolute tragedy, enduring brutal punishments and endless humiliation.
Throughout this time, she relied on the faith that had been instilled in her by her father as well as her sister. While imprisoned, Corrie continued to read her Bible, sharing the Word of God with whom she shared a barrack. After being released, she went on to share her story and the hope she found in the promises of God’s love for each of us. She wrote five books, established two rehabilitation homes for Holocaust survivors, and started a world-wide ministry that exists in 60 countries to this day. She too, allowed God to work through her by finding a way to create new life after unimaginable sorrow.
It is so important for us to have mentors of faith. It is through those that have gone before us that we learn and grow in our own faith. These two women serve as remarkable Sheroes that we are able to look to as we strive to live as disciples in today’s world. And so, we give thanks for the witness these women have shared with us, as they remind us that God is always working in us and through us, creating new life through our faith.
Gracious God, we give thanks for giving us mentors of faith who teach us through their actions and their entire lives how to stay true to you. Help us to have the courage to face whatever may come our way, and help us to be open to the work you are doing in and through us. Amen.
Written by Pastor Sarah Ruch
Pastor Sarah serves as Sheridan’s Associate Pastor of Local Outreach and Missions. She began her ministry at Sheridan in August of 2022 as Transitional Pastor until October 2022, when she was called as Associate Pastor.
Pastor Sarah lives in Lincoln with her husband Miles, and children; Hannah, Caleb, and Aaron.