Identity

Esth:3:4

All the problems started with Mordecai's decision not to bow down before Haman. Though it was a decree passed by the king himself, Mordecai refused to bow down and show respect to Haman. Why? He would have just bowed down? A simple act. Which now puts in danger, the entire race. 

The answer Mordecai gives to the palace officials is that, he is a Jew 

Now. What is so special about Jews. There would be other Jews as well, who would have bowed down?

But probably the conviction of Mordecai would be something like this....The very identity of a Jew is 'aseret ha-dvarim' or the Ten Commandments.And it is this identity that is being exploited and asked to defy, by this act of bowing down.

Whether it is because of the defiance of Haman to God of Israel, being and Agagite; or whether there was an idol in his turban which any Israelite would deny bowing down - the exact reason we do not know. But what we do know is that Mordecai is sure of his identity and he will be precise in his demeanour to preserve his identity. He had a rigid spine. Not because he was proud. But because he was assured of who he was...

Ha! What are we Christians, children of God, heirs of God doing with our rubbery spine. We bend and remold all the standards of our God for our convenience. For our safety. Compromising in every nook and corner. We are not even sure of the standards of the God we follow. We fix it, we bend it, we fold it and mold it for our convenience. We don't stand firm in it.

Standing firmly for what you believe - is your integrity. Your integrity comes of out of your surity of your identity. And that brings in no fear - All things happen for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Do not be afraid for I am with you 

And that fearlessness, prompts you to stand for Him, in your smaller arenas, which in turn will help you to stand firm in the bigger arenas.