Former Blackout Artist

When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” – Esther 6:6

It was the annual end of year party and I was standing with my coworkers in the back of the room. A month or so earlier the department managers had submitted their respective “MVP” candidates – that one special salesperson who really stood out that year – to the company owner. I remember being particularly excited, because I had a great year and I made the company a lot of money! Not to mention that the MVP award was a fairly handsome bonus. And, just so happens that prior to leaving work the evening before, my boss told me (with a wink and a smile) “Make sure you wear something nice tomorrow.” Hard to not get excited after hearing him say that!

So as I sensed that the owner was only seconds away from getting to the award presentation, I slowly began making my way to the front.

As the owner talked, I could only smile and take it all in. “It wasn’t an easy decision this year to be sure… it never is…”

I casually strolled a little closer, desperately trying to not make it look too obvious.

“All of you have done a tremendous job this year…”

Yes, it takes teamwork to make the dream work. I have a great team around me and I need to make sure I acknowledge them all.

“The winner of this year’s MVP award goes to…..”

I know exactly what I’m going to do with that bonus check. I’m gonna….

“Sherry Williams!”

And it was at that point that everything started slowing down to like super slow motion. I looked around all crazy, like I had just crawled out of a badly mangled car, wondering what the heck just happened. And I watched that precious envelope pass right through my hands into someone else’s.

I finally snapped out of it back into real-time, feigned a smile and started clapping right along with everyone else. But man… deep inside I felt so embarrassed. So blindsided. I had been royally snubbed!

Which, as it turns out, is a feeling Haman would’ve understood… at least for about five seconds.

By the time we get to Esther 6, Haman is convinced that he’s the biggest deal in all of Persia. He has the king’s ear, everyone bows when he walks by (except Mordecai), and he’s already planning how to get rid of the one man who refuses to stroke his ego.

Then comes one of the funniest questions in the entire Bible.

The king asks Haman, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” (Esther 6:6).

Now, if there had been background music, this is where it would’ve swelled into this triumphant climax. Haman doesn’t hesitate! Because, in his mind, who else could the king possibly be talking about?

So he dreams big. We’re talking royal robes, the king’s own horse, a parade through the city… someone shouting, “This is what is done for the man deserving of the king’s honor!”

You almost want to pat him on the shoulder and whisper, “You might wanna hold off on building a stable for that beautiful horse.”

Because the king’s next words are priceless: “Great idea. Now go do all that… for Mordecai!”

Talk about watching the envelope pass through someone else’s hands!

Humility has a funny way of exposing the stories we tell ourselves about our own importance, doesn’t it? Our pride assumes that the spotlight can’t possibly belong to anyone else but us. But humility…. that blessed humility makes us realize that if God wants us on the stage, He knows exactly where to find us.

The irony of Esther 6 is that Haman spent all his time and energy chasing honor, while Mordecai never once asked for it. And in God’s timing, one was humbled while the other was honored (Matthew 23:12).

The lesson I learned (and continue learning) was this: Don’t spend your life inching toward the front of the room. God has a way of seating people exactly where they need to be. And when He decides it’s your turn, no one can steal what He intends for you.

Until then, loved ones, just keep serving faithfully – even if somebody else walks away with the envelope.