You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

About 15 years ago, Richard Dietrich, a youth and music pastor from Arizona led a short-term mission trip to Europe.  While on the trip, he decided to surprise his wife by taking her on a side trip to Żary, Poland to do a little genealogical work. Her maiden name was Promnitz and according to family lore, her family originated from this small town in western Poland.

Upon arriving in Żary, he made his way to the city hall and asked if they had any information on the Promnitz family tree. The clerk at the front desk seemed startled and told Richard that he needed to talk to her boss … who turned out to be the mayor of the city. When Richard introduced himself and again asked for the Promnitz family tree, after a moment of shocked silence, the mayor said, “No, no, no. You are all dead. You died 300 years ago.”

Unbeknownst to Richard, his wife Brenda was a direct descendent of one of the oldest ruling families in Poland. Having ruled the region from the 1300s until the 1700s, Polish officials thought that the family had long since died out.  But a few Promnitz’ had fled as refuges during the 30 Years War (1613-1648), ultimately emigrating to America and settling in Iowa.  Brenda and Richard were royalty, and they didn’t even know it! The name Promnitz appears in cemeteries, cathedrals and palaces all throughout the region.  They were heirs of an ancient kingdom made up of vast ancestral lands and estates. One town official even apologized, “I’m sorry, sir, but two months ago we sold your castle to an investor.” It’s like Disney’s Princes Diaries, only real!

Nowadays, these historic properties are managed and curated by the Polish government. But once their lineage was verified, Richard and Brenda were reinstated as nobility in Poland. They are now Count Richard Dietrich and Countess Brenda von Promnitz. But instead of pursuing wealth or fame, they’ve set up a Polish / American cultural exchange program featuring a yearly music tour called the von Promnitz Tour. And they are seeking to use their newfound influence to advance the gospel.

For most of us, finding out that we are a prince or princess is the stuff of fantasy… that is, unless you’re a Christian.  Believers in Jesus have God as their Father and are co-heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17). We have a royal pedigree and are part of a noble line with a rich inheritance (Ephesians 1:18-23).  And just like Richard and Brenda, we did nothing to deserve it.  We only need to discover it.

In our world, people attach their identity, value and worth to all kinds of things- their talent and abilities, their bank accounts, their job, their family, their appearance… you name it.  The whole world is in a search for significance. The tragedy is most people are basing their value and self-worth on things that change.  Gifts and abilities diminish, economies crash, jobs are lost, families break up, looks fade. When you think about it, ultimately EVERYTHING goes away.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” Job 1:21

BUT our relationship with God is eternal. It never changes.  Your value has already been forever established by God in Christ.  HE calls you precious, HE calls you family, HE claims you as his own. And that is more than enough to lift the head of the poorest beggar and bow the head of the greatest among us.

Have you discovered your royal heritage?