11 December

Today's the day when in 1936 King Edward VIII abdicated from the throne. After ruling for less than one year he became the first British monarch to voluntarily give up the throne. He chose to do this after his decision to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson was widely condemned by the public and the Government. On the evening of December 11th he gave a radio address in which he explained, 'I have found it impossible to carry on the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge the duties of king, as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love.' The following day his younger brother, the Duke of York, was proclaimed King George VI.

But abdicating the throne isn't just for Edward VIII. Think about this: Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is near and that we can come under his rule or kingship in our lives. This is what it says in Mark's gospel:

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" 

If God is going to rule in our lives then we have to repent; that means abdicating from the throne in our lives and surrendering to Jesus as Lord and King. As long as we want to stay on the throne and do things our way there's no room for Jesus to be King. Yet he rules our lives so much better than we do – if we only give him chance.