HEBREW HEROINE

Illustration: Rivonny Luchas

by Jeanette Levellie

When our daughter was born, my husband, Kevin, and I decided to name her “Esther,” after two women who influenced Kevin as a young man. And we loved the biblical account of the Hebrew heroine, Esther.

From 486-465 BC, King Xerxes, monarch of the Persian Empire, ruled over 7.5 million square kilometres and 50 million people. Many Jews resided within the king’s 127 provinces. Among them, in the capital city of Susa, lived a Hebrew orphan, Esther, and her guardian, Mordecai.

After King Xerxes deposed his queen for insubordination, he sent commissioners into every province. “Bring every beautiful young maiden to my palace, so I can choose a new queen,” he ordered. Esther was among those chosen to meet the king as a prospective new bride. Because Mordecai had warned Esther not to reveal her background, she kept quiet about her Jewish roots.

The king picked Esther as his queen.

Brave Decision Although Mordecai was overjoyed that his adopted daughter now sat on the queen’s throne, he wanted to continue to watch over her. Every day, Mordecai walked up and down in the king’s outer courtyard, hoping to gain news of Esther.

One afternoon Mordecai heard of a plot hatched by the king’s second-in-command, Haman, to kill every Hebrew in the empire. “You must go to the king and beg him to reverse this edict,” he told Esther.

“But it’s against the law to simply walk into the king’s inner court without an invitation,” Esther said. “If he doesn’t want to see me, I could be sentenced to death.”

After telling her that she and all her family would also perish, Mordecai continued, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Esther listened to Mordecai’s warning and told him she would visit the king. “If I perish, I perish” were her final words as she said goodbye.

Courage and Faith After fasting for three days and nights, Esther put on her royal robes and approached the king, who welcomed her into his throne room. Esther smiled calmly, inwardly rejoicing that God had spared her life.

“What can I do for you, my queen?” Xerxes asked. “I’ll give you anything, even up to half my kingdom,” King Xerxes promised Esther. What a temptation. Yet Esther chose

to follow the plan God had given her during those three days of fasting and seeking Him. She invited Xerxes and Haman to a banquet. During the meal, the king repeated his promise to give Esther whatever she wanted.

“Just come dine with me again tomorrow,” he said.

After Xerxes’ belly was full of food and wine the next day, he again asked Esther what he could do for her. She broke into sobs, telling Xerxes of Haman’s plot to kill her people, the Jews, throughout the empire, and confessing that she herself was a Jew.

Realizing that Haman had tricked him into signing the edict to annihilate every Jew in his kingdom, Xerxes left the room in a rage. He then ordered Haman’s execution, gave Haman’s estate to Esther and promoted Mordecai to his second-in-command.

Grateful and relieved, Esther’s people established the holiday of Purim, a three-day celebration to honour her courage and faith.

Miracles Then and Now Esther is the only book in the Bible that doesn’t mention God directly. Yet we see His hand at work in every detail. He arranged for Esther and Mordecai to live in Persia. He turned Xerxes’ heart to choose Esther as his new queen. He placed Mordecai in the right place at the right time to hear about the plot to kill the Jews, so he could tell Esther. God showed Esther exactly what to do when she fasted and prayed for three days. And He used Esther to save His chosen people throughout the vast Persian Empire.

As I read Diane Stark’s story of how God placed her in a troubled girl’s life “for such a time” (see following story on page 13), I recalled when He used our own Esther to change a life.

During a low time in Esther’s life, her friend, Connie, texted, “Happy news! I committed my life to Jesus. I wanted to thank you especially,” she said, “because you were instrumental in my salvation.”

Neither Diane nor Esther might feel like they did as much as Queen Esther to bring about a miracle, but that’s not how God sees it. Whenever we say “yes” to Him, God positions us to change lives through the love of Jesus. The best miracle of all.

Ifelt almost giddy as I packed. The following morning, I was leaving for a weekend camping retreat with the elementary-aged children from my church, where I’d be chaperoning six little girls. That may not be everyone’s idea of a fun weekend, but I’m a former teacher who left the profession to be a stay-at-home mom, so I miss hanging out with little kids.

Plus, the retreat’s theme was courage and our children’s pastor, Sue, would be speaking on many of my favourite Bible stories: David beating Goliath. Noah building the Ark. And Esther, who became queen to save the Jewish people. After, each chaperone would do an activity that illustrated the lesson.

Illustration: Rivonny Luchas Challenging Assignment As I was packing, I saw an email from Sue telling me that another little girl had signed up for the retreat. The more the merrier, I thought—until I read the message from the little girl’s mom.

“We adopted Sarah two years ago,” it said. “She was in a terrible situation before coming to us, and she still bears many scars from her past.” The email gave a long list of Sarah’s fears. “This is her first time being away from home, and she may have a lot of anxiety,” her mom warned.

My heart broke for little Sarah.

“God, I’m going on a camping trip in the woods with a little girl who is afraid of bugs and the dark,” I prayed. “Please help both of us.”

Disappointing Trip As I pulled into the church the next morning, I saw a woman with a little girl who had tears streaming down her face. Clearly, Sarah didn’t want to go on the trip. “Definitely going to need Your help, God,” I murmured. Thirty minutes later,

I was sitting next to Sarah in the church van, ready to go. She had stopped crying, but whenever I tried talking to Sarah during the two-hour drive, she didn’t respond.

That afternoon, Sue told the story about David and Goliath. The activity that followed was a fun one and I was excited to gather my seven girls together to talk about courage.

But the moment we sat down,

Sarah spotted a spider and took off running.

“Watch the girls,” I called to one of the other chaperones as I took off after Sarah. When I caught up to her, she collapsed in my arms, sobbing about the spider. I hugged her tightly and murmured comforting words.

When she calmed down enough to return, small-group time was over.

The same thing happened that night when Sue talked about Noah. Sarah got scared, ran off and, by the time we got back, the lesson was over. It was clear that Sarah needed one-on-one attention and I couldn’t chaperone the other girls while caring for her.

Sue split my small group among the other chaperones, and Sarah became my sole responsibility. Although it was clearly the best choice, I was disappointed. This weekend just wasn’t at all what I’d hoped it would be.

The Right Path The next day, when Sue shared the story of Esther, I was sitting in the grass outside the shelter, Sarah in my lap.

“Esther’s people were in danger and God made her queen for such a time as this,” Sue told the kids. “God put her in that position so she could save her people.”

For such a time as this. I’d always loved the phrase. It reminds me that God puts us in certain situations at specific times for His purposes, even when it’s not clear what that purpose is. I hugged Sarah and prayed that God had a purpose in us missing every lesson on the retreat.

That night, Maggie, one of the teen chaperones, asked to talk with me.

“I’m graduating soon, and I’ve been torn between several career paths,” she said. “But after watching you and Sarah all weekend, I know now.” She smiled. “I’m going to become a social worker so I can help kids like Sarah.

“I was supposed to work this weekend, but God wanted me here,” she continued. “Just like Esther, God has a specific purpose for me. He needed me here this weekend so He could show me what path He wants me to follow.”

“Maggie, I’m so glad you came this weekend,” I said, “and I’m proud of your decision.”

She smiled. “I was here for such a time as this.”

I hugged her and realized that we both were.

(left) Diane Stark is a wife, mother of five and freelance writer from rural Indiana. She loves to write about the important things in life: her family and her faith.

Photo: Fred Cattroll

my life,” says Douglas Burden, bass trombonist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa and faculty member at the University of Ottawa. “I’ve heard music since I was in the womb and, later, the musically driven services of Salvation Army churches: Singing, of course, the clapping of hands, worship teams. Music, music, music.

“And with that is the textural and lyrical aspect of the communication of the gospel. Using music as that communicating instrument.” The Right Stuff Douglas’ parents, Henry and Enid, were Salvation Army pastors, and the family travelled to various postings in southern Ontario as he grew up.

“But the one thread that went through all of their ministry is that they were very musical,” recalls Douglas. “My father was an instrumentalist and a singer, my mother a lovely singer and pianist. They were active in worship teams and songsters [choirs], either as members or in a leading capacity.”

In Demand Douglas Burden has conducted Master- classes throughout Canada and the world, including at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, McGill University in Montreal, Beijing Conservatory of Music and The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen

Photo: Steve Nelson

As a youngster, then, Douglas was naturally drawn to music, but he was an extremely shy young boy.

“Liking music and performing music are two different things,” he explains. “It’s like writing a speech versus standing up in front of 2,000 people and actually delivering that speech. It goes from a cerebral to a performance element, and that took a while to evolve.”

However, one of the beauties of The Salvation Army, and certainly in Douglas’ years growing up, was the opportunity and the platform to learn how to perform—morning and evening church services, outdoor worship services, Salvation Army band performances, concerts.

“Some people saw my eight-yearold potential,” says Douglas. “I was put up as a soloist.

“I was absolutely scared stiff,” he smiles. “But I happened to be in the right place at the right time, with the right instrument.” An Important Call Douglas started out playing the cornet.

Why the cornet?

“I was a very small young boy at that time and holding the cornet was something I was able to do well.”

Fast forward seven years, and Douglas was a teenager living in London, Ont.

“A very famous Salvation Army bandmaster by the name of Bram Gregson became aware of me and, as I reached the age of 15, the senior band was filled with great cornet players, but they only had two trombone players.”

Bram told the boy, “You’re going to play trombone now. Here’s the trombone.”

“And that was it!” laughs Douglas now.

With the help of his high school music teacher, he made the transition and became proficient, so much

so that he attracted the attention of famed Salvation Army bandmaster Norman Bearcroft, who was reestablishing the Army’s Canadian Staff Band.

“I was a young bandsman at Hamilton Temple in Ontario at the time, and Norman heard me playing in a rehearsal.

“The phone call asking permission for me to join the band went to my father, not to me,” Douglas laughs. “Which, in hindsight, was the right way to do it where a 15-year-old was concerned!”

On to Ottawa That opened the door to other opportunities, including a scholarship at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

School Days Douglas has taught at the University of Ottawa since 1975. “I hope to continue teaching for a few more years after I retire from the National Arts Centre Orchestra”

Photo: Colin Traquair

DOUGLAS BURDEN

Easy Rider Douglas’ interests are not limited to music. During the summer months, he enjoys touring on his Honda Goldwing and playing golf. He’s also a keen military history buff and his reading interests span from Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood to Patrick O’Brien and C.S. Forester right through to Barbara W. Tuchman and Margaret MacMillan

Photo: Keith Braye

Even with the scholarship, there was no way Douglas’ parents could have afforded the room and board and transportation.

The Salvation Army in Rochester generously allowed Douglas to stay with them. In lieu of rent, Douglas worked 10 hours a week at the community centre.

As a first-year university student, he was asked to play a concert with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Soon, every time they needed a bass trombone, they requested Douglas, and he parlayed that into a full-time position.

From the Ear to the Heart “When you’re on stage playing with a wonderful orchestra and 2,000 people give you a standing ovation, it’s easy to let that go to your head,” says Douglas.

His Christian faith and Salvation Army roots help keep him humble.

“And not grow too big of a head!

“Even in my earliest years as a performing professional, that helped me stay grounded,” Douglas continues. “I wasn’t looking at the audience, I wasn’t looking at the lights, I was doing my job. I was committed as a Christian to a talent that had been given to me, and it was mine to develop and to bless others through.”

Douglas likes to recall an old saying: “You can leave The Salvation Army, but The Salvation Army never leaves you.”

“The Salvation Army has a rich heritage of developing musicians, composers and music, and facilitating the printing, production and

DOUGLAS BURDEN

distribution of that music.”

At the church he attends, the music pastor asked Douglas to select some appropriate Army tunes for their services.

“What I chose spoke to many people,” he recalls. “Parishioners came up to me afterward to tell me how moved they were. The Salvation Army music-making element of linking the lyrics and the words to the melody wasn’t just tickling the ear; it was going through the ear to the mind to the heart.”

Paying It Forward This summer, Douglas plans to retire from the National Arts Council Orchestra.

“I’m in my final season,” he smiles.

Douglas would have retired earlier had it not been for the pandemic. While the National Arts Centre Orchestra has continued to perform during COVID-19 on a digital basis, through livestreaming and Masterclasses, something was missing for Douglas.

“I want to play in front of a live audience again rather than just kind of slink away, head down, tail tucked between my legs.”

Douglas has taken advice from colleagues who have retired ahead of him and he’s worked hard to stay physically and mentally fit, as well as watch his diet.

And he has a lot to look forward to.

“I have a wonderful wife, but the number of hours that a professional musician has to practise is incredible, and Wendy’s been a ‘practise widow’ for too long. It’ll be great to spend more time with her.”

Douglas is also looking forward to spending time with his five grandchildren.

“I want to invest in their future— bringing them to museums and hockey games, sharing experiences and such—the way my Salvation Army family, friends and mentors invested in my own future back when I myself was young.”