Royalty Restored
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9 ESV).
“In my home country, I was a… a prince.”
Having just slipped into the warmth of the city cab, I shifted in my seat. What had the driver said, and in broken English?
“Um, ex… excuse me?”
His gaze momentarily met mine in the rearview mirror, then darted back to the busy Chicago street before repeating–
“Where I come from, I was a prince.”
That’s what I thought he’d said, but as if to confirm–putting to rest any possible question–he tapped a photograph he’d taped to his dash.
“This here… it is me, wearing tribal robe. My robe of royalty.”
What was I to say? So I simply nodded, cleared my throat. “Wow! Really?”
He met my gaze again, but this time, his dark eyes smiled. “Tis true.” He gave his steering wheel a hearty pound with his fist, then continued, “In line to be African king.”
My mind raced, wondering at what this man–this stranger–had shared.
A prince? A king?
A lyrical line from the Lion King rang in my head, and I smiled. Then, as if reading my thoughts once more, the man nodded–
“But here I am in America. My family too.”
I took advantage of this new tidbit. “You have a family? A wife? Children?”
“Indeed. We have several children–one studying in university.”
This time, he turned enough for me to see his profile, and his smile spoke his pride. He echoed, though no more than a whisper, “University.”
And I understood. It seemed this man–of royal lineage on a far-off continent–made a sacrifice in order to gain something for another.
For others.
And I wondered…
Did he know how much he resembled…
Jesus?
*******
This happened nearly a decade ago, but I’ve never forgotten.
This humble cab driver in bustling Chicago made an indelible mark, and I’ve thought of him many times, though I never even learned his name.
I’m thinking of this experience again, having just finished a beautiful book by John Eldredge.
All Things New–Heaven, Earth, and the Restoration of Everything You Love (Thomas Nelson Books, 2017) puts words to thoughts and feelings I’ve had but couldn’t quite articulate–notions of what God is doing while we wait and what is meant by the restoration of all things.
Yes, as Revelation 21:5 promises–
“Look, I am making everything new!” (NLT)
Honestly, I couldn’t get through a couple pages without crying. It touched on my child-heart, the little girl who still believes all things are possible when this middle aged cynic too often scoffs–
Yeah, right!
Mostly, it reaffirms what I believe (yes, I said it–“I believe!”)–
The renewal of all things is the most beautiful, hopeful, glorious promise ever made in any story, religion, philosophy, or fairy tale. And it is real And it is yours (ATN, p. 210).
I won’t tell you more because I really do hope you’ll pick up a copy and read it for yourself, but what a way to begin a new year.
A year in which, as my chosen word for 2025 encourages–
- I anticipate.
- I hope.
- I expect.
It’s how we’re intended to live, and, in doing so, we discover peace amidst the chaos of our communities, our nation, our world.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5 NIV).
Because, let’s be honest. Life is hard and, if we’re paying attention, we’re reminded over and over that things are not as was first intended.
But that’s why God sent His son.
Paul is good to encourage us, proclaiming Jesus–
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:6-8 NIV)!
Indeed, Jesus sacrificed his position–yes, his royalty–to become a servant so that others–you and me!–might have hope despite sin’s hold.
- Might anticipate something beyond the heaviness of this life.
- Might expect there’s more, no matter how dark our days.
Because that’s the promise.
And this promise possesses power–enabling power which keeps us in the fight. Cheering us on, saying, “Don’t give up!” Reminding us to continue wielding our weapon against the real enemy–Satan, the author of all the chaos and confusion.
Yes, this promise helps us shine light in the darkness and lift up the despairing any chance we get.
That’s why I’m thinking of that Chicago cab driver. How I wish I could see him again and tell him, “You’ll be royalty yet.”
Yes, friends–
Just you wait and see!
Father, when we grow weary in this broken, beat-down world, help us remember your promise–You’re making all things new! May that be an anchor for our souls. Amen.
