Kingdom Minded Series: Who is Sitting on Your Throne?

As followers of Christ in a crazy world, focusing our minds on the Kingdom of God is something that should be a crucial aspect to our lives. There have been many things recently that have reminded me of the importance of focusing on things above (Christ and His Kingdom) rather than trivial things on earth that will lead us astray, so I have put together a series of blog posts that I am naming "Kingdom Minded". I pray it will be encouraging for you to read, and perhaps even convicting, as it has been for me as I write it.

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. " Colossians 3:1-2

Recently I read "The False Prince" by Jennifer Nielsen, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I absolutely fell in love with all of the characters! In the book, Sage is bought by a man named Bevin Conner (whose plans for Sage and three other orphans something more than just treason--- something evil.) Through his time there, Sage learns just what kind of person Conner is--- a wicked creature with a merciless intent: deceive the people, gain power, and create a war that will tear apart Carthya. To do this, Conner devises a plan to put a false prince on the throne in place of the long-lost prince of Carthya, who was believed to be killed by pirates out at sea. He has chosen Sage and three other orphans to test and train for this position, in the end only choosing one to take Prince Jaron's place. And with the king and queen, and heir to the throne (Jaron's older brother) all murdered, there is no one who knows the prince well enough to be able to identify the imposter as such.

Although this story is fantasy, it can prove to be a good life lesson for us all, for in a way, our lives are similar to that of this story. No matter what you believe, there will always be someone ruling over you--- someone (or something) always sitting on your throne. There is always going to be someone on your throne who you will call "king" and hold as such. Or, in this case, someone you will call "prince".

Who is sitting on your throne? Is it a false prince, or is it the True Prince--- The Prince of Peace, who is crowned with the crown of life? Who do you bow your knee to everyday? Are you the one who sits on your throne? Do you bow your knee to every whim and desire you may have? Or are you bowing you knee to the will of God, and worshipping Him rather than yourself?

“Sage: "Conner's held you down for so long, you've forgotten what it's like to breathe free air." Imogen: "And you've given your life to his control forever. You'll never breathe free air again.” --Jennifer A. Nielsen, The False Prince

To bow down to a false prince rather than to The One True Prince, is to live a life of captivity and deception. To have the Prince of Peace sitting on your throne though, is to be as free as a bird, living with the truth unmasked. Don't let the false prince (or the one behind the false prince) hold you down any longer. Break free of their bonds and breathe free again, by having The True Prince sitting on your throne and bowing your knee to His will.

With much love and prayer,

~Jaycee ♡