Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Paris, France. While there, we took a daylong trip to London, England on a high speed train. Since we only had a few hours in the city, we didn’t have a whole lot of time for sightseeing. However, we did have the opportunity tour Buckingham Palace. The queen was on tour in Scotland for a few months, so while she was away, the noble family opened up the State Rooms for public tours.
While walking through the royal palace in London, I began to recognize the great responsibility that accompanies the Queen’s position of honor. She has a very full calendar of events. I never realized how much work and responsibility came with such a position. Our visit to the English palace shed a new light on my once lofty perception of the royal family.
As we departed the tour, my husband purchased a souvenir book to remember our visit. It was called The Queen’s Year. The book chronicles Queen Elizabeth’s calendar year, highlighting her various duties as the head of the state and nation. It’s quite interesting to view Queen Elizabeth’s life in such detail. She has quite the reputation to uphold.
It turns out that you and I do not need to travel across an ocean to encounter members of the royal family. In 1 Peter 2:9 we’re told that we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:4b-6)
We are sons and daughters of the KING—adopted into the Royal Family through the precious blood of Jesus. As Christians, we bear the name of our Lord and Savior, and through Him we are representatives of the Royal Family.
“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’ ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” (John 18:36-37)
Like Queen Elizabeth, our position of honor bears immense responsibility. As representatives for His Majesty, we are called to conduct our affairs in ways that are honoring to Him.
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6)
May we never take for granted the great responsibility that comes from being sons and daughters of the KING.
“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10-11)
