Tip of My Iceberg

Being thoughtful and compassionate in the role of grandparents, we’re continually on the lookout for intriguing surprises for the littles who have increasingly populated our lives. John is particularly gifted at this; he finds funky, flashy things that make noise and twirl insistently, colorful creations made of plastic and fun, and unusual delightful distractions guaranteed to hold a child’s interest for at least ten minutes.

I digress.

We were picking up supplies for our favorite spring breakers coming back from college for sun and fun when we ran across a dress that Elsa of “Frozen” fame would have loved, In fact, she wore one very much like it.

This one was for little girls. We pulled it out and two-year-old Kolly was ecstatic. “Wow!” Her enunciation was loud and clear.

I’m not sure her mom and dad were as thrilled with our purchase. Kolly wants to wear her princess dress constantly. She twirls and swirls around, wearing a crown and waving her scepter/wand, grinning and giggling with royal joy.

We’re enamored with stories of royalty. People follow the Windsor family in England with great interest, commenting on where they go, what they wear, what they may be eating.

There’s probably a small desire in each of us to be royalty. With all the accompanying perks and rewards that nobility brings.

Maybe not everybody.

There once was a king in Persia who was so disappointed in his wife for not being willing to display her beauty and the royal splendor of the gems of the kingdom. Her refusal to show off for her husband’s friends led to her being banished for her impudence and disrespect to the throne. A new queen had to be found.

King Ahaseuerus heard from his wise men that he should find a beautiful replacement in the kingdom to become his wife. Esther was a young Jewish woman whose cousin, Mordecai, had become her family when her parents died, raising her as his own daughter. Because of the king’s decree, Esther along with other young women from her province, were taken to the king’s harem to prepare for their one night with the king.

Each woman was given a year of beauty treatments to help them look their best, but that wasn’t Esther’s choice. When she met with the king, he fell in love with the woman she was, seeing her as more special than any of the other women he’d met with.

A poor orphaned Jewish girl became queen of Persia.

When one of the king’s men, Haman, became angered by Ahasuerus’ recognition of Esther’s cousin, Mordecai for his loyalty, Haman wanted every Jew dead. He set up a plan for it to happen.

Esther was the only one who could do anything to save her people. She was afraid that she would upset the king by showing him Haman’s shady character.

Mordecai had words of wisdom for his cousin. “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14.

Emboldened by her cousin’s challenge, Esther went to the king on behalf of her people. Her courage saved those who would have been killed by Haman.

An unassuming young woman becomes queen in a land not positive toward her countrymen and became the salvation of her people despite her fear. A different definition of nobility.

Royalty has privileges and responsibilities. When people belong to the family of God through faith in Jesus, they become a unique member of royalty–a co-heir with Jesus in His heavenly kingdom.

“But you are not like that (stumbling over the truth of Jesus), for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of god, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Those who choose to believe in Jesus become part of God’s royal family, sons and daughters of the King of Kings. A position of privilege and responsibility that reflects our hope and future.

Kolly loves the idea of dressing up as royalty. The outfit makes her feel special.

How much more wonderful is being a true member of royalty, a child of the King?