HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh was a member of the Greek royal family and Danish-German House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg but educated in Britain. This background does, of course, not stop him from being a bit of a liability when it comes to public functions. But, bless his heart, he’s an old bloke.. so its not surprising really is it?

At the weekend, an acquaintance of Jon’s was describing how he had witnessed the Prince doing a tour of the Chelsea flower show. He was taken in to see an exhibition of Ivy. The Ivy expert had assembled a vast array of different ivies from across the globe. He was excited to meet the royal party and poised for detailed questions.

The Prince arrived and was shown into the hall. He looked around and with warm sympathy said to the Ivy expert, “Yes! We have the same problem at Balmoral!” before walking straight through into another exhibit.

Can you imagine how crushed that poor man must have been? All that work, a life-time’s learning and passion and experience simply maligned in a simple phrase…!!

We can be very similar in our words. Often, without even meaning to, we can damage those around us, belittling who they are and what they do. Our conversation can impact how others feel about their calling and their life’s work. Building them up or tearing them down.

Yesterday I was privileged to be part of the launch of a new church we have planted in the city. (Churchinaclub.co.uk) It meets in a night club and has attracted a large amount of media interest. Our pastor Anthony has been interviewed on every BBC local radio station over the weekend about it. There were about 60 students there for what was a promising beginning.
I met a guy who told me he was a physicist studying for a Phd. I asked him what he wanted to do with his life. “I’m not sure really. I mean physics is totally pointless isn’t it?” he replied.
I looked at him. Hard. This kind of talk makes me displeased in my spirit.
“God NEVER wastes His resources.” I said. “So He has made you incredible at physics for a monumental reason. My experience is that whatever I have needed in terms of skills for a job, God has provided. Be sure of that.”
The guy smiled. “Thanks mate,” he said, before biting further into his burger.

Go out of your way to build someone up around you today. You may not meet the world expert on Ivy or a Phd student, but you may meet a nurse, or a teacher, or a family member who just needs a word of joy, encouragement or blessing. Don’t be the guy who says, “we have the same problem at Balmoral!”

Our job as humble people of God is not to think less of ourselves, but to think of ourselves less – to build up those around us and to try with all we are, to make God known.