British royalty became center stage again with the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May of 2018.  Decades before that event, a lot of folks got up before dawn to watch the wedding of Lady Diana and Prince Charles in July of 1981. British royalty is very interesting to watch from this side of the world. Is the life of royalty one of excess?

Discover what journalist and author Philip Yancey researched years ago:

“Queen Elizabeth II had recently visited the United States, and reporters delighted in spelling out the logistics involved: her four thousand pounds of luggage included two outfits for every occasion, a mourning outfit in case someone died, forty pints of plasma, and white kid leather toilet seat covers.  She brought along her own hairdresser, two valets, and a host of other attendants. A brief visit of royalty to a foreign country can easily cost twenty million dollars.”

It is quite comical what God allows in our lives to keep us from feeling too distinguished. I realized I would never be part of some aristocracy when two of my crowns fells out of my mouth.  When I get stressed at work, I will sometimes chew on a pen on the right side of my mouth as I solve problems and type etc.  So the first crown fell out from the maxillary or my right upper jaw. I then paid my dentist $77.00 to place it back. The second crown from my mandibular or my lower jaw fell out after I gave in to my father-in-laws temptation to eat some Milk Duds candy.  I spit the candy out into a napkin after feeling something odd and noticed another porcelain-type crown. “I am so stupid! What a loser! A total of $154.00 just to put cement on my crowns!” The cost seemed excessive.

In comparison to how British royalty lives, Yancey continues:

“In meek contrast, God’s visit to earth took place in an animal shelter with no attendants present and nowhere to lay the newborn king but a feed trough.  Indeed, the event that divided history, and even our calendars, into two parts may have had more animal than human witnesses.” (The Jesus I Never Knew)

From Philippians,  (chapter 2:7-8) Paul affirms:  “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross”. (NLT)

We are so hard on ourselves, especially when we screw up.  We forget who we are. James tells us the truth: “Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?  (NLT) As you continue your journey through life, never forget that you are a heir to God’s kingdom because of Jesus!

pictures courtesy of “Nelson & his Nikon”.