Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Where Do You Stand?

Position is paramount in importance. I don't mean social position or even financial position. Those are superficial indicators at best. Really knowing who you are brings enormous power and peace.

For example, when my daughter, Elizabeth, was a toddler, my husband owned a restaurant. While she was very well-behaved, she just knew her daddy owned the place and she walked in with a toddler-sized attitude of authority. Without a moment's hesitation, she'd go behind the counter and even back into the kitchen to find her daddy and get a cookie. She never did this anywhere else. However, she was the owner's daughter, and even at her tender age, knowing this filled her with assurance. She had no doubt that she had every right to go in the back and find her father and get whatever she needed. She knew where she stood.

Not too many of us fully comprehend the privileged position we have in Jesus. How awesome to realize that because of Him, you are a child of God. He is your "Dad," the King, so that makes you a son or daughter of the King - a prince or princess. You are royalty. Get hold of this truth, and it will revolutionize not only your self-image, but your entire life. You can approach His throne in prayer with the same boldness and confidence Elizabeth demonstrated in seeking out her daddy.

There is incredible power in knowing where you stand. If you're on the altar directly to the left of the bride, you have the esteemed position of maid or matron of honor. You get to ride in the limo and sit at the head table. If your desk is in the very front of the classroom, you're the teacher and not one of the students. You get to make up the tests, not study for them and sweat over the answers. The maid of honor would look pretty foolish if she went around to all the wedding guests asking if anyone could give her a lift to the reception, when the limo was parked at the curb waiting for her.

We must look just as foolish to God when we hover at the very fringes of His Presence timidly attempting to approach Him, when we have every right to boldly walk up to Him, jump into His lap and pour out our hearts. You dishonor Him when you behave as if you were a second class citizen in His kingdom instead of a first generation, much loved child of the Most High. You have unlimited, unrestricted access to Him at all times and you insult His reputation when you act as if you don't, or as if He doesn't care about you.

Once the truth of this saturates your spirit and soul, it can't help but radiate from your very being in all you say and do. It has the power to forever change you from a cringing, panicky mess into the dynamic, dauntless prince or princess you actually are. You are a representative of your Father, the King. He desires for you to take full advantage of your rights and privileges. he never intended for you to scrape and scrounge for crumbs. No! He created you to be an instrument of His love, power and mercy to a world that hasn't yet met Him face-to-face.
Understand and believe that you carry within you, wherever you go, the power of the King of the Universe, and you'll never want to dishonor or disappoint Him. Consequently, people will be drawn to Him because of the peace and assurance they sense in you. It all hinges on your position.

Now, I ask you again, where do you stand?