Queen Elizabeth: The brief was simple perform four minor ceremonial tasks with minimum fuss; not end up all over the newspapers.
Princess Margaret: I can’t help it if they want to write about me.
Queen Elizabeth: Well, it would help if you didn’t give them what they craved.
Princess Margaret: Character and Excitement?
Queen Elizabeth: Instability and drama.
Princess Margaret: At least I give them something. You give them nothing.
Queen Elizabeth: I give them silence.
Princess Margaret: Silence is nothing.
Queen Elizabeth: It is the absence of noise.
Princess Margaret: Emptiness… a blank page.
Queen Elizabeth: It allows others to shine.
Princess Margaret: But the monarchy should shine.
Queen Elizabeth: The Monarchy -yes; The Monarch-no.
This piece of dialogue was in the series called The Crown on Netflix. I thought about this conversation the rest of the day, after hearing it. How often has a similar dialogue taken place in my own mind.
You see, as children of God, we are royalty. We are, in a sense, Princes’ and Princesses. I don’t know about you, but too often, I identify with Margaret. I may not be giving the newspapers what they want, but I want to give myself what I want. Whereas Queen Elizabeth, through her silence and reserved, was protecting the royal family.
I thought 1st Peter 3:3-4 which says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
When we step aside, and allow the Monarchy (God) reign, it allows others to shine. He can do more than we could think. It is not that He does not want us to shine, but He wants to be the one holding the spotlight. He wants to shine through us.
When this happens, it is like what John Piper says, “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him”. This is a win-win scenario, not a lose-lose.
To me, Psalm 45 is one of the most beautiful Psalms because it talks about a King, and was written for a wedding.
The Psalmist starts off saying this:
“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”
Verse 9-17 says:
“Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.
Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor.
All glorious is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her-
those brought to be with her.
Led in with joy and gladness,
they enter the palace of the king. Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.
I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.”
Just like Queen Elizabeth and even Princess Margaret carried an enormous weight- it was a privilege. For us, we can have joy between the privilege and weight because we have a relationship with a King who is enthralled with our beauty. We sacrifice for Him because we see the sacrifice He made for us.
Will we struggle? Yes. But, we are never alone. Our King will never leave us. He is beside us through every decision. He is beside us through every season of unrest. He is beside us when our enemies seem to be advancing, and when we are at rest. He is not a God who slumbers or sleep (Ps.121:4). He always carries our daily burdens (Ps 68:19). He is our Help (Ps 54:4). God is our refuge and strength (Ps 46:1). God is our exceeding joy (Ps. 43:4) and for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross (Heb 12:2).
Romans 14:17 says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”
So, lets set our mind on things above (or the kingdom). We are royalty. God loves you and me. We have a purpose. We are ambassadors of this beautiful kingdom. A kingdom that is full of sacrifice, beauty, hope, joy, peace and eternal life.
May God shine brightly through us- broken vessels, useful to the Master- our King!
P.S I knew there was a reason I liked pineapples so much 😆
