I’ve been spending time studying the book of Esther.

As I go through the story line by line I notice things I didn’t notice before. 

One of the famous parts of the story is when she decides to approach the King to help her people, even at great risk to her own life: “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

Let me highlight something that is often neglected and which, to me, underscores the sincerity of her courage. 

It is her profound aloneness.

Consider the details of her story. For some reason, Esther had no biological parents. She was adopted by Mordechai. At a young age, she was brought into the King’s court as a young virgin. How old? We’re not sure.

In the royal court she surely would have been forced to do Lord knows what. Plus, she was now only able to see Mordechai occasionally. Even her famous interchange with Mordechai about what to do as her people faced annihilation was through messengers. In a time of crisis she wasn’t even able to see him face-to-face.

She was cut off from her Jewish kinspeople. She was cut off from her customs and worship. She was living in a larger harem of concubines and multiple wives. I once heard it said that you can still be lonely in a crowd; I think that would have been true for Esther. 

Despite all she had been through, and despite her profound aloneness, she acted with courage for others. 

This is inspiring. It also teaches something. There are times when we need to do the right thing even when we feel alone in doing so.

It’s not easy. And you wonder if it makes a difference. But it does. Just ask the people Esther helped save.

In the end, it’s not about being noticed, but about being faithful. You might feel alone. But you’re not really alone. Give it all to God. And trust that he will use it for his glory in ways beyond your knowing.

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Notes:

—Bible quotes are from the NIV.