In the eleventh century, King Henry III
of Bavaria grew tired of court life and
the pressures of being a monarch. He
made application to Prior Richard at
a local monastery, asking to be accepted
as a contemplative and spend the rest
of his life in the monastery.
"Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you
understand that the pledge here is one of
obedience? That will be hard because you have
been a king."
"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my
life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you."
"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "
Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the
place where God has put you."
When King Henry died, a statement was written:
"The King learned to rule by being obedient."
When we tire of our roles and responsibilities,
it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain
place and told us to be a good accountant or teacher
or mother or father. Christ expects us to be faithful where he puts us, and when he
returns, we'll rule together with him.