Unexpectedly, I’ve teared up several times in the last eight days over the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This brave and honorable lady touched lives here “across the pond” in America and around the world. Of course, she was imperfect, but known to set anyone at ease; fun-loving, yet serious about the things that mattered.

It is marvelous to live as royalty: 

• You know you are royal through no merit of your own, yet there you are, taking your place in history. 
• You’re supplied with wealth and trained for leadership. 
• You choose whether or not to carry the weight of your calling.
• If you do use your position wisely and faithfully, as Queen Elizabeth did, you’re truly helpful to others. You make their lives better through your caring words, selfless example, and tireless work on their behalf.

Like us.

We who are God’s sons and daughters are royal in the most marvelous sense of the word — we’re children of the one true King. Not through our own merit, but because we have put our faith in Jesus Christ. God’s Word, the Bible, proclaims:

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). 

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Supplied and trained

For us, His royal children, God provides “everything we need according to His riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19). His own Spirit empowers us to live this challenging life. He strengthens us through His body, our brothers and sisters in the faith.

Our training manual is found in the rich pages of His Word. We learn to lead with love, taking the first step toward others. We’re taught to serve, bless and forgive, to our last breath. 

Our royal commission is clear:

“You are His chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, emphasis mine).

We are to tell the good news of Christ’s love to as many people as we can. Then they too can escape the darkness of sin and spiritual death and find God’s marvelous light of forgiveness and new life, here on earth and forever in heaven.

Making a difference

We may ask each other, as the Jewish official Mordecai asked his cousin, Queen Esther, in ancient Persia: “Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). No one else can accomplish the good we ourselves, as God’s royal children, can do in our lifetime. Will we accept in full this joyful, faith-stretching responsibility?

If we had ever met the lovely Queen Elizabeth, I am sure we would talk about it all our lives. Yet our own lives impact others for eternity.

Knowing this, as He leads, I try to make a difference wherever I go. I don’t like to leave a place I’ve been without some evidence of Christ’s love left behind. By His grace, wherever we go, we can seek to humbly encourage, offer prayer, stand up for good, and, especially, speak of the love of our Father, the King. 

Sharing the blessings

Queen Elizabeth, who also loved Christ, testified of her faith in her speeches and in a book published for her 90th birthday, The Servant Queen and the King She Serves. In a 2016 Christmas address, she asked, “To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn, than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?”

And at Christmas, 2018, she stated: “Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when He was born. Now billions follow Him. I believe His message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone. It’s needed as much as ever.”

Yes, when you’re a child of the one true King, you want to share the blessings of royalty with everyone. Seeing lives touched and transformed by Christ is worth each scary step of faith. It’s the most marvelous way to really live.

Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

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If you haven’t discovered new life in Christ, don’t hesitate to check it out. Life is too short to miss His love and perfect plan for you. Read About “The Nearness of God” or see everyperson.com for more information. You can also read my story of coming to faith in Christ in: How My Song Began.