“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
One of my favorite movies growing up was The Princess Diaries. What was so beautiful about this film was that Mia, whose role was played by Anne Hathaway, was raised by her mother, and doesn’t know that she is royalty. Her mother keeps this secret from her, but her grandmother then reveals to her that she is the apparent heir to the crown of the small European principality of Genovia. This then begins her journey to the throne. The reason I love this movie, besides the fact that I love a good makeover, is that Mia would soon learn things about herself that she never knew existed. The Kingdom of God is the exact same way. Before coming to Christ, we live a life of sin, separated from Him. When we make the choice to come to Him, we become heirs into a royal family. This family holds prestige and honor, and we are now princes and princesses. It is now time for us to do the same as Mia and begin our journey into royal priesthood.
So What are the steps God takes us through on this type of Journey?
1. Self-actualization
Self-actualization is the realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potential. You have to first believe in what God is telling you about yourself. When Mia first hears about her status as royalty, she doesn’t believe it. Her initial feeling is shock. She asks, “Why on earth would you choose me to be your princess?” Her grandmother then explains, “You are the natural heir to the throne -that is our law; I’m royal by marriage, but you’re royal by blood.” As children of the most High God, we hold the same status. We often wonder, “Why on earth would God choose us?” But it is by His law that He has established. This is not a position to be applied for, voted into, or won by good merits. You are simply royalty. Self-actualization is needed first, in order for us to know who we are. It is especially a drive in everyone that is ready to be discovered. If you don’t believe this, you will continue to live below your status.
2. Acceptance
After hearing of her status of being royalty, Mia has to come to accept who she is. And even when she accepts it, it takes her some time to completely believe it. She has to come to terms that this is something far beyond position, and realize that it is also destiny and DNA. Her grandmother has to reassure her that she would teach her how to walk, talk, and live up to her full potential. Likewise, we must learn to accept where God takes us and where we stand in that position. God wants to teach us how to walk, talk, and live as His sons and daughters. Often times it is difficult to fully grasp the idea of what God is calling out of us. However, the moment we accept, we are then in the position He needs us to be in order to do what is necessary.
3. Submission
This then brings us to our next step, which is submission. Submission may seem as if it is synonymous to acceptance, however you can accept something and never fully submit to it. Submission is yielding to the mission. It's a type of obedience through humility. Submission is important because you then realize that the mission and degree of your compliance is more important than your ego. In the movie, Mia has to submit to the process of embodying the role of a princess. In the midst of this, she begins to see and understand the importance of yielding her pride and comfort for a greater cause. Sometimes, God needs us to recognize that what He is challenging you to do is far beyond just a story about you. “Mission is your service to others, it's both shared and specific.” The reason why we don't want to submit to the mission or the process of transformation set before us is because we believe it has everything to do with us. When In fact “mission is eternally significant and can impact the destiny of others.” As heir to the throne, Mia needs to submit to everything it takes to be princess and a good leader. Mia eventually realizes it isn't just about her, but also the people of Genovia, as well. Therefore, can you fully submit to what God is asking of you?
4. Faith
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. Mia has never been to Genovia and has no idea how to run a country. She wants to quit before she even starts. Despite this, she is told, “you can’t quit being who you are.” God knows you can’t do all that He asks of you by your own ability; He knows you need His help. Faith is sometimes the most difficult part of the journey. Not everything you have hoped for or envisioned are easily seen. You have to constantly live in your destiny, and experience it in your mind to get there. Fear may sometimes stop us from doing, therefore making us inferior to the challenge. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. He wants us to trust Him in knowing that what He is doing for us is good. Mia grows fearful and sometimes discouraged, but finds faith simply by trying.
5. Courage
We hate disappointing those who care about us the most. Mia has a poor lapse of judgement, which leads her to believe she is no longer suitable to be a princess. Her grandmother then explains that not wanting the title wouldn’t make her any less family.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it states, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
In this verse we must recognize that not only did the Lord say, “My People,” but He also says, “Who are called by my name.” We are not just God’s people, but we also hold His family name. Through the pain, Mia has to have courage and believe in herself enough to know that she is capable to rule. She deals with shame and with people disliking her, but she manages to rise above it all. She proves to herself and others that she is capable of the task. God wants us to be courageous, confident, and brave. No journey, process, or pilgrimage is easy, but there is a reward in the person you develop into. Know that you are special, unique, beautiful, and royal. Don’t let anything stop you from being
who you were meant to be.
In Philippians 1:6 it says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Rule, ruler, rule!
“Then you will be a beautiful crown in the hand of the LORD, a royal crown in the hand of your God.” Isaiah 62:3