What it means to be Royalty
As human beings, identity is very important to us. Our identity as a people or as individuals defines us, not just to others, but to ourselves. As a Caribbean people our locations defines our sense of self, our culture, our beliefs and how we relate to each other. In the same way being a part of the kingdom of God comes with a collective and individual identity. This identity defines our sense of self, who we are, our culture our beliefs and how we relate to each other.
This is good for us, having an identity. See God understood our innate human need to belong and to have context and meaning. How could He not? even from the beginning God created man with a definition, in His own image and likeness. We had an identity even then that defined our purpose. Which was to take care of the world, to have dominion, to be fruitful and to multiply. But with the corruption of sin, we lost our sense of identity. Just like Adam and Eve, we could no longer focus on our purpose or who God created us to be, instead we could only see our flaws. Just like Adam and Eve saw that they were naked and for the first time they knew shame.
Thousands of years have passed and God’s redemptive plan came into effect in the person of Jesus, to restore to us a sense of belonging, identity and purpose through His work on the cross. Regardless, our struggle with shame and disbelief continues. Even for those of us who through the work of Christ are able to accept our new identity, every now and then we see our nakedness and it leaves us ashamed. Generation upon generation the fight for our joy in Him over the shame of our sins endures. And generation upon generation God reassures us of who we are, or who we could be in Him. This is the importance of identity.
In Exodus 19:6 we see a demonstration of this. God presents an offer to the people of Israel after rescuing them from years of slavery and oppression. This offer comes with a demonstration of who He is:
‘Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
He then makes a declaration of what this means for them:
‘…if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.’
After years of being broken, stripped, humiliated… years of labouring in shame, God restores their dignity by giving them a sense of identity. With all that He possesses and all that He is; a mighty King… one with authority and power, God claims Israel as His own. This offer expanded through the work of Jesus to include the rest of the world… and to this day it echoes through the generations. Will you obey me? Will you serve me? Will you take my offer of adoption and become a part of my kingdom, not merely as subjects but as heirs… as royalty?
As Christians in the Caribbean, our history of slavery and oppression acknowledged, this claim we have in Christ has become so essential to our sense of self. The Royalty concept has pierced our hearts, the air waves, the fashion industry and shaped our sense of self as Caribbean people. So much so that ‘Royalty’ isn’t just a Christian concept anymore. Why? Because we all want to feel worthy. But what does it really mean to be royalty as believers, as the Caribbean Christian Collective? Have we merely claimed a title without understanding the standards, expectations and culture of the kingdom to which that title belongs? Or have we claimed it with no intention of aligning ourselves with God’s kingdom anyway, we just like how it makes us feel? Is our need for belonging facing off against our desire for validation, presenting itself in pride and self promotion?. These I believe, are important questions and a necessary assessment for all who claim this identity. What is for certain, is that from a Christian perspective, the concept of Royalty does not promote any of us as being kings and queens over our own established kingdoms. It does not make any of us superior over others, it’s not about pride in self, in our heritage, our culture nor our accomplishments. The Christian conceptualization of Royalty is so much more than that, it’s beautiful, its life changing and its uniting.
To be continued…
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Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
