I am almost finished with Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman, by Beth Moore, and I really don't want to be. She pushes me and asks me the questions I need to ask myself.
Today I just happened to use the Amplified Bible for my study, because it was within reach. I love this version because it gives you all the meanings for the translated words so you can get the full effect. And in place of "happiness," as in the NIV, was the word light.
Light. Precious, glorious light. In the Hebrew, this word is translated as happiness, light, and a dawn of new hope. Excuse me while I bask in that for a moment.
Thanks. It's light that I'm needing these days: sunlight to warm my skin and lift my mood, just the right light for pretty pictures of my girls, and especially, the Light of Hope to bring happiness and a newness.
While I realize that happiness and joy are different, (happiness depends on what happens to us; joy is an inner light that isn't dependent on circumstances) there are clear moments in life when we need to just be free to be happy. As Beth puts it, "when God intervenes in our circumstances and we get a chance not only to know we're blessed but feel blessed, nothing is more appropriate than seizing the happy moment."
In Esther, the Jews' mourning was turned to light/happiness, their fasting turned to gladness, their weeping to joy, and their wailing to honor.
In Jesus' name, may His light shine on us. May He free us from all the expectations, judgements, and wishing and put us on the right road, united TOGETHER. May we seek not the approval of others, but only the will of the Father. Amen.
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