Have you ever been asked to represent Queen Elizabeth?
As I was considering this morning’s verse, my mind was drawn back to London in 2017. Let me share our verse for today, the story of my being asked to represent Her Majesty, and then the lessons the Holy Spirit taught me.
First, our verse: YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME ON YOU
This story is a bit of a re-telling of the 2017 event, but I really felt that the lesson needed to be shared. In May of 2017, I was in London for the ALPHA Leadership Conference with about 6,000 people from all over the world.
Just before leaving the United States, I received an email informing me that I was to be seated in The Queen’s Box for the conference. Attached to the invitation was a document from Her Majesty’s office that provided information about specific expectations. It began by informing me that The Queen’s Box holds a prominent position in the venue, and those in the box are representing the Royal Household. It provided detailed instructions about proper dress, rules regarding behavior, etc. Naturally, I was quite honored.
But as wonderful as the invitation was, the truth of the matter is that The Queen had nothing whatsoever to do with the invitation. She had not selected any of the twenty individuals who were to be seated in The Queen’s Box. Her Majesty had no intention of attending the conference with us. In fact, even though we were selected to “represent the Royal Household,” she had no idea who had been selected for this honor.
As I considered this, the Holy Spirit brought a realization to my mind.
We who are believers in Jesus Christ have been selected for a much higher honor. More than just receiving an invitation to share a box for three days, we have been made members of the ultimate Royal Household – that of the King of Kings. We are not simply those who have been “selected to represent the Royal Household,” but we have been adopted into it, made sons and daughters of the King Himself.
Catherine Middleton’s life changed forever when she became the bride of Prince William. Everywhere she goes her life is on display. She is expected to interact with those she meets in a certain manner. There are expectations of a certain modesty of dress, a particular decorum. As part of the Royal Household, her behavior is held to a higher standard. One expects her to set a certain example.
The same is true for us, but even more so. Everywhere we go we represent Our Father, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He has called us to the high calling of being His representatives. Not only has He adopted us into His family and made us joint heirs with Jesus Christ, but He has appointed us as Ambassadors of His Kingdom. He has entrusted to us a message of incredible importance, that God is reconciling the world to Himself in Christ Jesus and not counting their sins against them. We have been sent to bring the good news of salvation. Our eternity has been changed forever.
And this King was intimately involved in our selection. He not only knows us, but He loves us! He hasn’t just offered us a seat in an earthly box, He raised us up with him and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. His Spirit and His power accompanied me to the ALPHA Leadership Conference. He never leaves my side, and He will never leave yours either if you have made Him your Lord and agreed to follow Him. He endues us with the power to be His witnesses, for that is the purpose of the promise that YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME ON YOU.
The Holy Spirit reminds me that, as a representative of HIS Royal Household, I need to be aware that wherever He sends me holds a prominent position in the venue. I must always bear in mind that those who are representing the Royal Household have certain expected standards of dress and decorum, so I must give consideration to proper dress, rules regarding behavior, etc. It’s a far greater call and a more significant honor.
And so, in the role He gives us as His chosen representatives —
We must be humble – for we represent a great and mighty Sovereign
We must be bold – for He gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control
We must be faithful – serving Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to His power at work within us
We must rely upon His strength – knowing that His grace is sufficient, for His power is made perfect in our weakness, so our faith will not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God
It is wonderful to represent The Queen. It’s quite an honor, really.
But representing the King of Kings even more so.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth may have never asked you to represent her,
But HIS MAJESTY KING JESUS has !
