Last week, one of our granddaughters turned four. Nancy and I were privileged to share a party with her on Sunday as she excitedly ripped into her many gifts. Clothes, books and toys were all celebrated along with a new bike complete with training wheels. While we enjoyed visiting with other family members, the chocolate cake and ice cream were also certainly highlights for me.
At the current time, we have six granddaughters, three of whom are in the four to six age range. Each of these three is very much into the whole princess thing. Of course Disney feeds this obsession with movies and characters championing young female heroines who rise up to save the world. As such, many recent birthday and Christmas gifts have a Frozen element to them. On Sunday, Grace was dancing around in her Elsa dress singing Let It Go!
Our children’s and grandchildren’s fascination with princesses is nothing new nor is it unique to America. Many children from many cultures have and continue to imagine themselves as princes and princesses living in grand castles and performing valiant deeds. Even many adults are caught up in news stories about British royalty as we admire from afar.
As I reflected on the pervasiveness of this deep-seated longing, it occurred to me that perhaps it was instilled by God Himself. As not only Creator, but also King of the universe, God has fashioned each of us to be His son or daughter, thus preparing us to be princes and princesses.
In what is truly wonderful news, He has not only invited us to into these roles, but He has also made these realities possible. When His only begotten Prince died on the cross, He enabled the rest of us to be adopted into His Father’s family and share His privileged pedigree.
In Romans 8, Paul tells us that those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. If we pause to meditate on this incredible truth, we begin to realize just how magnificent this is. King’s kids not only enjoy wealthy lifestyles, but they also have access to the family name and heritage!
Transferring this to our relationship with our Heavenly King who owns and controls all the resources of the universe, we can begin to envision the implications of this amazing reality. In that same Romans passage, Paul reminds us that because we are God’s children, we are also God’s heirs and co-heirs with Christ. Such promises are almost too wonderful to believe, yet the Bible assures us they are true.
So could it be that God has instilled within each human heart this desire to be a prince or princess? Perhaps He did this very thing so that He could then satisfy our longings with their fulfillment in Him! Jesus also promised that His adopted siblings will eventually move into His Father’s palace which He has gone to prepare. This castle is one of overwhelming beauty with golden pavement and gateways of pearl.
To be clear, God doesn’t force His royalty on anyone but leaves it as an open invitation. Each person must choose to become His child or to spurn His offer. Galatians 3 indicates that we become God’s children as we put our faith in Jesus and are baptized into His regal family. We must accept God’s adoption invitation by accepting His Prince, Jesus. Conversely, if we reject Christ, we reject sonship with His Father. If you have never become a King’s kid, do so today by receiving Jesus that you may enjoy all the royal benefits that accompany that decision.
As we muse over the myriad of Disney princesses dancing across our screens and whose products beckon our gift money, may we see the deeper reality they represent and may we respond to God’s offer to each of us.
Blessings, Prince George