Know Your Place…and Stay In It!
By: Demita Usher
Growing up, when my inquisitive mind got under my mother's skin, I was admonished with the statement, “Stay in a child's place!” Today, some sixty years after the de-segregation of the south, a friend of mine shared with me that the attitude of many there is “We don't care where you live or where you sit on the bus, as long as you know your place.” When you hear the statement, “stay in your place” it usually comes with the negative connotation of being in a subservient position, and because of this negative association, many of us are sadly displaced and thereby separated from our true purpose.
I recently watched a movie that became a great source of inspiration to me, “The Young Victoria.” This movie is a biographical account of Queen Victoria's early years as she ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen. In watching this film, I learned some important lessons about knowing your “place,” your God given position and not being moved from it.
Lesson #1- It is your birthright.
Victoria's rightful place on the throne was based on the fact that she was born into the lineage that made her a rightful successor. It was not a position she had to work for or ear to get. The position was hers simply because of who she was. It was to be her rightful place.
Lesson #2- There will be those who feel they can do a better job than you can and will try to displace you.
Because Victoria's father died a year after her birth, Victoria was under the care of her mother, the Duchess of Kent, and their attendant John Conroy until she came of age to ascend the throne. In the years in between, her mother and John set up a system of strict rules called the Kensington System. This was designed to make Victoria weak and utterly dependent on her mother and John to the point they hoped to have the ability to run the country through her when she came of age. Despite the restriction of this crippling system and the constant pressure and threats from her mother and John to abdicate the throne to them, Victoria refused to give up her rightful place and was successfully crowned queen.
Lesson #3- Sometimes those closest to you can be the greatest hindrance to you staying in your place.
Victoria's mother collaborated with John Conroy against her daughter to strip her of her right to the throne and failed to defend her when John became too forceful in his attempt to bully her into submission to his wishes to rule England through her. When she came into power, one of her first orders of business was to banish John from any involvement in her court. Although she continued to care for her mother out of respect, she distanced herself from her and possible future problems. Though she loved her mother, she knew that her mother was not a safe person to associate with if she wanted to keep her rightful place.
Lesson #4- Inexperience does not disqualify you.
Being so young, there were many who had serious doubts that a very sheltered, isolated young woman had what it took to rule a country. She had to deal with critics and naysayers who were more likely awaiting her demise. Being human, I am sure Victoria struggled with moments of uncertainty in her ability to lead her country, but she remained resilient and enjoyed a successful reign that lasted until her death. In the film, I saw Victoria go from a shy, inexperienced young girl to a confident assured woman who made bold decisions and wisely ruled her country. In real life I am sure under God's watchful eye, the real Queen Victoria experienced the same evolution.
Lesson #5- Acceptance of your rightful place does not make you immune to threats or challenges.
Although Victoria accepted her rightful position with the determination to rule her country to the best of her ability, an assassination attempt was made on her life twice and for the rest of her life she was always vulnerable to attack. In the end she had the final say by being the longest reigning monarch in England's history and the longest reigning female monarch in history ruling a total of 64 years!
You and I have a place, a God given position that is our birthright, and despite those who try to displace us and hinder us, despite feelings of inadequacy that scare us, and threats that try of stop us, we have an obligation and a responsibility to not only know our place but to stay in it!
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