“Megxit,” is what the British tabloids are calling the decision by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan to leave the Royal family. It may not carry the same impact as “Brexit,” England leaving the European Union, but it’s still a big deal in the United Kingdom. Beginning this spring, Harry and Meghan will no longer perform duties on behalf of the queen, receive public funding, or be allowed to use their “royal highness” titles. They will however, still be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, titles given to them by the queen on their wedding day.
For those of us who dream of being a prince or princess, their choice to leave the royal lifestyle may be hard to understand. Why in the world would you give up such a privileged lifestyle with the riches and fame that come with royalty? Prince Harry said it was a sign of the pressures he was feeling that he would “step my family back from all I have ever known in search of a more peaceful life.” He also said he was afraid that his wife might fall victim to “the same powerful forces” that led to his mother Princess Diana’s tragic death. According to the Times of London, 15 working members of the royal family took part in over 3,500 engagements across the UK in 2019. While they are well paid for their work, it’s a busy, pressure-filled life, surrounded by paparazzi and the eyes of the world constantly watching everything they say and do. Harry and Meghan decided that stepping back from their royal responsibilities was the best thing for their young family.
As I reflect upon “Megxit,” I can’t help but think of someone else who chose to willingly step away from royalty. Philippians 2:6-7 says that Jesus Christ “existed in the form of God, yet he gave no thought to seizing equality with God as his supreme prize. Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human!” Jesus was the divine Son of God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords, but he gave it all up for us. “Christxit,” is Jesus leaving all that behind and entering the world to do what we could not do ourselves. “For when the time was right, the Anointed One came and died to demonstrate his love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves” (Romans 5:6). Harry and Meghan left royalty “In search of a more peaceful life.” Jesus left royalty to bring peace to each of us and to our shattered world. He said in John 16:33, “Everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”
Do you have the wonderful peace of Christ in your life? In the trouble and sorrows we all experience, do you rest confidently in Jesus, knowing that you are loved by God? My friend, you can have that assurance, you can experience this peace. We’d love to talk with you about the amazing joy and peace that fills your heart when you give your life to Jesus Christ. Please feel free to contact me at pastor@centerchurchgc.org with any questions or needs you may have, and check out https://peacewithgod.net/ to learn more.