Hello, my friend. Come – and fear not, you may find the answers you’re looking for here, perhaps even peace and freedom (though that does sound like a tall order – I wouldn’t blame you if you think it sounds a bit deluded, political or cheesy). The road to true life is so narrow it’s almost invisible, the hour is so late that it’s early, and the Royal Priesthood’s mission is daunting, if not impossible to say the least. “Go and make disciples of all nations,” my King said to me, “baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” I was told to teach these new disciples to obey all the commands He gave us, and assured us that He would be with us always. (Matthew 28:20)
My first reaction, naturally, was “Riiiiiight.” Then I quickly roll my eyes (no, God didn’t smite me with a lightning bolt or blindness for my irreverence). But as I turn to walk away, I see in the distance the empty tomb, the vacant bloody cross with its accessories (crown of thorns, six-inch nails, “Jesus, King of the Jews” bumper sticker) and even further back I see the empty manger. I suddenly think, “Jesus, you really did it,” literally and with all due respect. You can almost see Jesus sit on His throne, dust off His lapels with a pierced hand, and look down at Satan, saying “Is that all you got?”
Don’t let those words, “priest” or “disciple” scare you. This is no ragtag recruitment agency, nor is it another hokey scam, religion or cult. I prefer to think of us as freedom fighters and free thinkers under God. “Christian hedonists,” as John Piper would say. To enjoy life, freedom, love, peace, and pleasure by knowing God – and helping others do the same – is our goal here. We’re here to destroy the stereotypical images of bored, harp-plunking winged dead guys on clouds, holy instruction manuals that would manufacture paranoid automatons, and a halo-faced, underweight carpenter hammered to a cross seemingly ad infinitum.
It is always easier said than done, but I trust in Him to do His thing.
Greetings
Royal Priests are everywhere. Any believer of Jesus the Christ our Lord and Savior is called to priesthood. Any heart that is restless and breaks free in small bursts of grace, any soul that persists under pressure, any mind that ponders the vastness of the glory of God is a Royal Priest.
Not to take too much of the spotlight, but this blog is my part in the story, indeed The Greatest Story Ever Written - the story of God and mankind. Though the holy fire has been doused somewhat with my reunion with the world, the embers are here - with the hope that you, dear reader, might have enough to light your way. Remember, Our Lord is always with us...even in everyday moments. Nothing is so "real" that it loses its spiritual side. If you need anything, know that His Door is always open and His Light is always on. May God bless you always, my friend.
Answer the call, and begin the adventure of your life.
Royal References & Recommendations
- Websites - Godsblogs.org, Godspeaks.com, Desiringgod.org, Multnomahbooks.com
- Music - Jars of Clay, DC Talk, The Fighting Temptations OST, Don Moen, Ron Kenoly, Hillsong
- Movies - The Passion of the Christ, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Barabbas, The Ten Commandments, The Gospel of John, The Prince of Egypt, Joseph: King of Dreams
- Books - Experiencing The Heart of Jesus Books 1 & 2 by Max Lucado, The Pleasures of God by John Piper, The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, God's Blogs by Lanny Donoho, Gods of Power by David M. Steyne
