7 Apr, 2009
Royal Protocol
The Queen and Mrs. Obama: Did the First Lady Break Protocol?
Obama at Buckingham Palace
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, pose with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
The rules are set in stone, and so the eagerly watching British media sputtered when the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, briefly put her hand on the back of Queen Elizabeth II as the two chatted at a reception. Etiquette is quite stern about this ("Whatever you do, don't touch the Queen!").
Of course, there are corollaries to this. One must certainly touch the Queen if the monarch offers her hand (though you should return this not with a firm handshake but just a touch). On Wednesday, Michelle Obama put her hand on the Queen only after the Queen had placed her own hand on the First Lady's back as part of their conversation. So there is room for theological argument as to whether the American reciprocity of touch was allowable given the social dynamics of the situation.
(Story by Howard Chua-eoan, photo by John Stillwell. To view the full story, go to news.yahoo.com 4/2/09)
Hebrews 4:16 [NIV]
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
James 4:10 [NIV]
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Revelation 4:9-11 [NIV]
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
“ You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”
What does God's Story teach us about how we should approach The King?
In today's story we see The First Lady getting ridiculed because of a simple touch on the Queen's back even though it was a kind gesture that was intended to be polite. Why has this ruffled so many feathers? Because she's the Queen and you don't just touch the Queen! At least that's the way they see it in England. There is an amazing amount of respect and even reverence for the Queen which makes following the proper protocol paramount to the English. After all, she is royalty.
So, since God is the highest royalty...being The King of the universe...how are we to act in His presence? What's the "protocol"?
There are really two important aspects of the protocol for coming to God. One of those is to remember that He is God. He created everything. He has sovereign control of all things. He is eternal, all-knowing, always-present and all-powerful. Because of these truths, we must approach Him with reverence, humility, awe and praise.
This, however, does not make Him a distant or unapproachable God by any means. As we can see in today's scripture, God calls us to approach His throne of grace with confidence. In John 15, we read that He has called us "friends"...wow...the King of Kings is our friend! That same chapter describes how He wants us to abide in Him...share our fears and hopes with Him, be intimate with Him, bear our souls in every way.
Yes, He is The King and deserves our reverent praise...but He certainly welcomes us to touch Him and be touched by Him.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story with my story?
- If you haven't made a habit of going to God's throne daily...today is a great day to start! If you have been talking to Him at meal and bed times, start adding more of those times throughout your day. If you are already sharing with Him multiple times a day, turn it into a conversation that is continuous so that He can direct your steps all day long!
- If you have gotten overly casual with your prayers, take some time today to sit before the Sovereign King and acknowledge Him for who He is. Praise Him as you humbly bow before your Creator.
- If you have always seen God as distant or impersonal, take a risk and share something with Him today that you would share with only your best friend (which He wants to be). Then just wait and watch how He will respond to you through His Holy Spirit's presence!
How can we connect today's story, God's story and my story with my friend's story?
- Remember that the goal is not to get your friends to church...or even "saved"...but rather to connect them to The King who wants to touch their lives in a personal way. The best way for them to understand how that works is for them to see that connection to God happening in your life. That is why daily abiding is so important.
- Many of your friends may see God as distant or even scary. Perhaps today's story will allow you to ask them how they would act in the presence of royalty...and then share about your experiences before God's throne.
- Ultimately it is God who draws them...not you...so keep praying that your friends will feel that unmistakable touch from God.
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [21]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
