I was recently passing through Kansas City, Missouri on my way back to the St. Louis area. I always enjoy seeing the stadiums of the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs as we pass by. While I have passed by the stadiums many times in the last 15 years, there was something about the crown that struck me this time. How did they come up with the name of the "Royals?"
A crown holds significant meaning in our society. Even though we don't utilize the royal system of government in our country, there is immense interest in the happenings of the royal family across the ocean. Princess Diana certainly captured our attention during her brief lifetime. How many young women have dreamed of being in the right place at the right time to be swept off her feet by Prince Charming? How many viewers tuned in when Kate Middleton experienced that real life dream come true? There is something in the whole process that attracts our attention. We may dream. We can fantasize. What would it be like to be royalty?
We have a far greater gift in our lives. Unfortunately, I am concerned that we too frequently take it for granted. When we are baptized we enter into God's family--the ultimate experience of royalty. We have the privilege of being in the presence of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Is it impacting us in a profound way?
Familiarity can bring complacency. Those who work in the royal palaces on a day-to-day basis must surely lose their sense of being awestruck. Compare their reactions to a tourist visiting for the first time. The difference between the two will be quite dramatic. Same buildings, same view, but a completely different perspective.
The same can be true for the Christian believer. Are we still awestruck to enter into the presence of our Savior? Being on the inside--instead of just a tourist--helps us to understand the rituals of the Church. This can lead us into intimacy with the King, or it can bring us into a monotonous repetition of meaningless gestures. Are we genuinely nurtured by the proclamation of God's Sacred Word? Are we richly nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ? The impact of our encounter with Jesus Christ depends greatly upon our attitude. Are we grateful to be part of God's family? Quite simply, do you feel like royalty when you are in the presence of the King of Kings?
A crown holds significant meaning in our society. Even though we don't utilize the royal system of government in our country, there is immense interest in the happenings of the royal family across the ocean. Princess Diana certainly captured our attention during her brief lifetime. How many young women have dreamed of being in the right place at the right time to be swept off her feet by Prince Charming? How many viewers tuned in when Kate Middleton experienced that real life dream come true? There is something in the whole process that attracts our attention. We may dream. We can fantasize. What would it be like to be royalty?
We have a far greater gift in our lives. Unfortunately, I am concerned that we too frequently take it for granted. When we are baptized we enter into God's family--the ultimate experience of royalty. We have the privilege of being in the presence of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Is it impacting us in a profound way?
Familiarity can bring complacency. Those who work in the royal palaces on a day-to-day basis must surely lose their sense of being awestruck. Compare their reactions to a tourist visiting for the first time. The difference between the two will be quite dramatic. Same buildings, same view, but a completely different perspective.
The same can be true for the Christian believer. Are we still awestruck to enter into the presence of our Savior? Being on the inside--instead of just a tourist--helps us to understand the rituals of the Church. This can lead us into intimacy with the King, or it can bring us into a monotonous repetition of meaningless gestures. Are we genuinely nurtured by the proclamation of God's Sacred Word? Are we richly nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ? The impact of our encounter with Jesus Christ depends greatly upon our attitude. Are we grateful to be part of God's family? Quite simply, do you feel like royalty when you are in the presence of the King of Kings?
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