Flag Flying High

As I climbed Newcastle’s castle keep by way of one of those dizzying spiral staircases, I was hoping that the view, which was advertised as the best in the city, would be worth the trouble. It was. I was also struck by the three lions displayed on the highest flagpole. I was minded of an old song we used to sing in Sunday School, with Auntie Sheila belting out the melody on her shiny, red accordion:

There is a flag flying high

from the castle of my heart,

from the castle of my heart,

from the castle of my heart.

There is a flag flying high

from the castle of my heart

for the King is in residence there.

            So let it fly in the sky,

            let the whole world know,

            let the whole world know,

            let the whole world know.

            So let it fly in the sky,

            let the whole world know

            that the King is in residence there.

Love is a flag flying high

from the castle of my heart....

Joy is a flag flying high

from the castle of my heart....

Peace is a flag flying high

from the castle of my heart...

There were banners displayed in the keep’s great hall, but none outside could see them. A flag is to be flown on the highest point so the all eyes may behold it. If Christ is truly King of our hearts, who takes up residence there by His Spirit, then there will, and must, be outer evidence of so prestigious and royal an occupancy.