Durante Bene Placito Regis

As I was tidying up around my apartment this afternoon my mind was everywhere. I was thinking about all of the different posts I was seeing online concerning the recent attacks across the world, the Syrian refugees, what that looks like for our country, and the countless opinions of others.

 I'm not one to always say my thoughts about different current events happening or to share my opinion and feelings on the matter so that everyone knows, but I would like to share something tonight. 

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At the pleasure of the king.

This is what popped into my head earlier this afternoon. 

I didn't quite understand how this phrase would just randomly be on my mind, but I had a feeling that there was a lesson for me there. So I have been chewing on this phrase for the past few hours now trying to understand it. 

Durante Bene Placito Regis

Latin for "during the pleasure of the king, or during the King's favor."

It means that no one could hold an official position against his (the Kings) will. 

This notion of power has existed for quite some time now. We have seen it in the early 13th century. We see it today. 

In the United States, it's called "at the pleasure of the President."

In the United Kingdom, it's called "at the pleasure of the Queen."

It's all around. This power of control. The dedicated service of oneself to another at their discretion. At their pleasure. 

Politically speaking, this "pleasure idea" means control. It means the authority of one individual. 

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As I am beginning to process and translate what this phrase means to me personally I realize now, more than ever, that I should always strive to serve at the pleasure of the King. 

My King. Jesus Christ. 

I will never hold a position against His will. 

I will never have sole authority. 

And that's the way it should be. 

As God wills, so it will be. 

It will not be thwarted. 

God continues to drive home the point to me that He is in control and He is Sovereign. 

He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. That's not just a saying we hear in church. It's truth. And I think it's time that we as a community of believers remember that. 

So, in spite of everything happening around me, I choose to serve at the pleasure of the King. 

I chose to stand by His will and not try to overthrow it. I chose to believe that He is ultimately in control of everything.  I chose to trust in Him.

 I chose to speak when He tells me to speak. I chose to stay silent when He tells me to stay silent. 

I chose to give when He tells me to give. I chose to withhold when He tells me to withhold. 

I chose to stay when He tells me to stay. I chose to go when He tells me to go. 

I chose to not be afraid. I chose to have hope in Him.