“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16 (NIV)
As a leader, it’s important to realize that your legacy is not about celebrating your life or achievements but maximizing the influence you can have in the lives of those you lead. More bluntly stated, godly leadership is not “about you.” It is about glorifying the Lord.
Queen Esther was a leader who realized this truth. Around 470 BC, the Jews were on the verge of being wiped out by a Persian king named Xerxes. Only her intervention on behalf of the Jews could save them.
Spurred on by Mordecai, her guardian, Esther prayerfully weighed her options. Finally, she decided that her life was expendable. For the sake of the Jewish nation, she couldn’t play it safe. As she stated in the verse above, “If I perish, I perish.”
A good legacy can cost you- even your life.
The content of this Devotional comes from “Daily Strength for the Battle (You, God’s Word, 5 Minutes): Volume 6 Developing the Leader in You” (2020) and is copyrighted by Scott and Judy McChrystal. Used with permission.