06/01/2026
For years, every time I read Esther 1, my attention was drawn to Queen Vashti, her refusal, her dignity, and what many would consider unfair treatment.
But in a recent time of intimacy with the Lord, I noticed something different.
Vashti wasn’t merely a queen. She was the king’s crown and glory. When the king summoned her, he was calling for the very thing he valued and esteemed most to be displayed before the kingdom. She was saved for last because she represented something precious.
What struck me was not simply her refusal, but the ripple effect of her response.
Scripture reveals that the concern of the king’s advisors was not limited to the palace. They understood that leadership influences culture. What is modeled by those in positions of honor often becomes permission for others to follow.
In a generation that often celebrates “I can do what I want, when I want, how I want,” the book of Esther challenges us to ask a deeper question:
Is my boundary rooted in God’s wisdom, or is it rooted in self-will?
Not every boundary is godly simply because it is called a boundary. Godly boundaries protect honor, dignity, respect, and obedience to the Lord. They consider not only personal preference but also the impact our choices have on those entrusted to our influence.
True biblical boundaries are not built around self-preservation alone. They are built around stewardship.
Sometimes the question is not, “What do I have the right to do?”
The question is, “What response best reflects the heart and purposes of God?
I created a short assessment to help you identify whether your choices are being driven by a desire to please God or a need for the approval of others.
Take the “God Pleaser or Man Pleaser?” quiz today.
🔗 Click the link in my bio to get started.
GodlyWisdom