Surrendering Your Throne

When we live in the Kingdom of Me, perched atop our silly little thrones, strutting around like the ridiculous little royalties we think we are, the best we can hope for is a C-minus life. Often, it’s closer to a D, and many times it’s a flat-out failing F. The F life is obvious, and therefore may compel us to get off the Throne of Me and surrender to the true King. This is a wonderful result, to say the least.

The D life is a miserable life, but apparently not miserable enough to move some people to take action…to seek change.

But it’s the C-minus life that is the most dangerous, because we are lulled into a “just mowing-the-lawn” approach to life. We just get through each day, keeping the grass cut and the lawns of our lives nice for everyone to see, but the days become weeks, months, and years that drift by.

The C-life is the most insidious, and thus to be feared the most.

But Jesus comes along and offers an invitation to a richer life, the A-plus life in the Kingdom of Him, not Me. This life is a refreshing, cleansing, freeing life of trust. Jesus offers a life of clarity, energy, and creativity that flows naturally through the Kingdom among us, powered by the Holy Spirit. But only if you want it. He won’t force it on you.

Sometimes, I wish he would, don’t you? “Jesus, just bind and gag me and force me into surrendering my throne. My kingdom has too much sway over me. I’ve been atop this throne for too long. Make me give it up, please!”

Jesus smiles lovingly and says, “If you want it, I’ll take you deeper, deeper into the Promised Land. But only if.” Jesus so often preceded his invitations by an ‘if.’ He is not going to force it on you, this A+ life to the full. You must want it.

At various times in our journey we hear Jesus’ invitation to go deeper. Each time we will find ourselves at a gate, a crossroads if you will, and the question becomes, “Will I stay atop my throne and continue to try to control things, and people, my way, or will I surrender and follow Jesus…his Way?”

Stay atop your throne: Misery

Surrender your throne: Love, joy, peace, patience

It is your choice.