We live in a much larger story than our own personal happiness. And so our daily choices are not just about us. They serve a larger purpose. And our duty is to serve this Crown.
We see this, for example, in human monarchies – individuals set to inherit the throne cannot make decisions based exclusively on their personal interest. They have the responsibility to serve a larger good even when it comes with personal cost.
Elected representatives carry a similar burden. They have a duty to serve the office and not merely their own personal agendas.
In a similar way, we have the obligation to serve God’s kingdom. While many personal blessings come from life in the kingdom, we’re called to uphold a greater good than our own self-interest.
In the end, the Crown is whatever we pledge our ultimate allegiance to. And all to often we settle for our little crowns rather than serving the higher purpose and larger story God is telling.
For instance, our pursuit of a particular job or relationship is often based on the degree of happiness we perceive it will bring us.
This is not a bad consideration. But by itself, it’s self-serving. We’ve essentially made a crown of our own happiness rather than submitting ourselves to the larger good.
When in service of the Crown our decisions are no longer limited to our personal interest alone.
Of course, we still serve best by offering the best of ourselves. And so we die to self without losing ourselves. We still bring our unique talents, gifts, abilities, and perspectives to the decisions we make and the work we do.
But all that we are remains in service of something greater than ourselves.
When we fail the Crown we neglect those we’ve been called to serve. And our world eventually collapses as well.
Don’t neglect your duty to the higher good. Serve the Crown and bring God’s best throughout your life and relationships.
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