Silently Speaking in 2020

If I have ever identified with a person from the Bible during 2020, it has been Esther.

Who is Esther?

Esther stood by a King’s side, as queen, who beheaded his previous wife. She had no recorded family aside from her cousin, Mordecai, who raised her upon her parent’s death. Esther knew her people, the Jews, stood in low esteem. She kept her identity a secret, but this cover almost faded away when Haman, an assistant to her husband, set a decree to kill the Jews. Mordeci gave her advice to remain quiet because she could die as well. Esther gave instructions for him to gather Jews to fast for three days along with her. Esther then held a feast for the King and Haman where she exposed the evil plot. Haman died for his wicked intentions. Esther had no voice initially, and yet she was born for such a time as this. She spoke her truth when the time was right.

2020…The Year of Isolation.

2020 has been a year of isolation. This has been by both choice and circumstances in some cases. We’ve tried to social distance, wear masks, Face Time when possible, and yet, connection amongst our family and friends has been almost nonexistent it seems. Maybe we have felt like we have had no voice when it comes to the circumstances we’re faced with. To wear a mask, or to not wear a mask? Send my kids back to public school, or home school them? To have a birthday party, or to not have a birthday party? The list could go on. Sometimes our choices appear public (such as wearing/not wearing a mask), and criticism has been given no matter what we do. It is an isolating feeling to feel as if you cannot identify yourself in fear of others opinions.

Esther knew isolation and loneliness because her very life depended on revealing her identity. Esther did not even enjoy transparency in her relationship with her husband because it could cost her everything. Not just her, but her people, the Jews, as well. Her silence did not mean she had forsaken what she believed in. Esther did not have the privilege to protest in the streets or write a social media post because of the uncertainty she faced. No, she quietly and prayerfully lived her conviction without forsaking her beliefs.

Timing is Everything.

The theme of time resonates throughout the Bible. In verse 7 of Ecclesiastes chapter 3, it states, “A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;” Esther knew she had kept her silence long enough. It was a time to speak finally and save her people. She did not speak until she had fasted and prayed. We have a right to have our opinions and our belief systems, but how many times do we speak out on them before stopping to consider the weight of our words? A social media post or a harsh word can have a negative impact on relationships that will unfortunately last a lifetime. When Esther went before the King, it wasn’t in arrogance or selfishness, she went in sincerity for the lives of her people.

You can silently speak in 2020 to live out loud your beliefs. One of my favorite verses in Esther remains in chapter 8 verse 16: “The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.” 2020 may have been the year of isolation, but joy is coming, even if you are silently speaking now.