America is currently in a highlight funk. Football season ended with the Super Bowl. Baseball season is just getting into its groove. No fireworks until the Fourth of July. Mixed Martial Arts – MMA – has created a parallel phenomenon called the Presidential Election, and it’s the championship battle that will run until November 5, plus any after-the-polls-close challenges that follow. With those diversions off the screens, what is there to be excited about, right now?

Our friends back in Great Britain have given us some happy headlines of late. Last week, King Charles III – may we simply call him “Charles” in honor of our American independence status? – delivered the goods with some never-before actions that only Sovereign Monarchs can deliver. Had you heard these astounding reports?

Charles has given Kate Middleton – sorry, that would be Catherine, Princess of Wales to us commoners – another exclusive title. She can now add Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honor to her resume. She’s the first member of the Royal Family to ever be so gifted. Founded by King George V in 1917, the Order is limited to 65 members with outstanding achievements in the arts, sciences, medicine or public service. She joins Elton John, Paul McCartney and J.K. Rowling in that cadre. Not sure if they ever have a members-only meeting, but it’s a great add to LinkedIn.

At the same time, Charles bequeathed a title he had until he cleared his vida and claimed his crown back in ’22 to his son, Prince William. Wills – as the British press sometimes abbreviates him – has now been tagged with Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. Launched by King George I in 1725, military or civil service notables are candidates. Wills flew helicopters, back in the day. I wonder: what if he prefers a shower?

Last but certainly not least, Queen Camilla – who won Charles’ heart after Diana lost it – didn’t leave the throne room without some high-intensity recognition: she’s now the Grand Master and Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Try putting that on a business card: Prince Philip – husband to Queen Elizabeth II – gave up that high-value designation upon his death; he held it from 1953 to 2021.

Kings can bestow titles at will; the power of the throne allows that exercise of authority. The Bible doesn’t mince words when God describes our status – as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of Kings and only Savior for fallen humans – with designations that are seldom fully appreciated down here, but will be massively significant to our experience, up there. Who are we?

Sons and Daughters of the Almighty. Family relationship is foundational for everything else. We’ve been adopted by the Heavenly Father, we are now in a sibling relationship with His Son Jesus.

A Holy and Royal Priesthood. The hierarchy of the spiritual realm puts priests in intermediary status with the majestic God. No one can just apply for that position; it is granted by sovereign action by the God Who will be working in-concert with the priests who meet Him, on His terms.

The Temple of the Triune God. God arranged a significant upgrade in His earthly residence: He is no longer confined to a magnificent structure in Jerusalem. Instead, He – in the person of the Holy Spirit – inhabits every Christian, and accessible for interaction in real-time, 24/7/365.

The Bride of Christ. Individual Christians make up the Church, and that Church is designated as the eternal matrimonial connection with the Son of God. There’s no upgrade from that promise.

Read the New Testament, searching for the binding titles and positions that the King who is returning one day and conquering the opposition upon His reentry has already announced for us.

Kate, Wills and Camilla have nothing on you…

Bob Shank