There are few reigning kings in the world today but even so coronations are still big events with pageantry and worldwide media coverage so everyone knows about them. There was an exception to this in ancient Israel with David who had to be fetched from his sheep to be anointed king, and apparently went back to tending them. The only witnesses were his brothers who were resentful. David conducted himself in a kingly manner even though recognition would not come until much later. Are you willing to walk in the fullness of your calling even if no one notices? Do you need a title to serve me? 

Do you make it your permanent and only goal to do everything right? Can you see how this might work against you? Consider the story of the prodigal son. He made a huge mistake in demanding his inheritance and departing from his father’s house for a life of indulgent dissipation. Yet he came to himself and returned to his father’s house to be restored. Consider the older brother in comparison. He did everything right for which he was resentful and at the end of the story is outside his father’s house. The younger son did everything wrong and learned from it. The older son did everything right and did not. If your mistakes cause you to come to yourself and return to me they will have accomplished their purpose. 

Have you heard the famous quote that all that glitters is not gold? This is a profound truth that you should be aware of since you live in a culture full of glitter that is highly esteemed. Yet it consists of more appearance and less substance, and a closer examination finds little of real value. It is also true that all that is gold doesn’t glitter. Your search for truth may lead you to seemingly mundane places and ordinary events. Don’t let this discourage you. If you continue in my word you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free, and you shall have treasure in heaven that is better than gold. 

I told my followers to lay down their lives and pick up their cross and follow me. Paul mentioned that he had been given a thorn in the flesh as a messenger of Satan to buffet him. Do you think of these things as curses? Yet these are things of redemptive value so they cannot be curses. From his thorn in the flesh Paul learned that my grace was sufficient for him, and your cross is not a curse. It should be the normal expectation for every believer. You can see the redemptive purpose in my cross. Can you see the redemptive purpose in your own? If not, do not ask that your cross be taken away, but rather that your eyes would be opened to see.