I fell in love with this image shown below, which in postcard form was plastered liberally around the All Saints church offices back in England. They told me where this slogan came from, and i found the history of it interesting as it has to do with morale in wartime. I bought a handful of the postcards when i left and now have one stuck to my bedroom mirror. This reminder that i see daily is yet another blessing holding over from my summer in England (and comes of course with memories of all my brothers and sisters there so is all the more dear for that association).
I like that it is headed by an image of the crown. While this certainly carries other connotations for the British, for me it speaks of sovereignty and of just rule. On a daily basis, it is that sovereignty of God that allows me to heed the first exhortation; unless I were persuaded that God is ruling over all, I would panic. The state of the world -clearly an occupied territory- would overwhelm me. But He is on His throne: keep calm. Likewise, He is a God of justice and His rule will not always endure the evil which i see heavy upon the earth- as surely as the sun rises, He will one day set things aright; unless I had this hope, I would lose heart and could not heed the second exhortation: carry on.
I appreciate this reminder both in this deeper vein and in the lighter sense- hearing it remind me both to not panic when i see the impossible situations of life, nor when i see my day planner; reminding me to persevere both in hope of His coming, and in getting out of bed on mornings when I feel a mess. Whether great peace is called for, or just a deep breath; resolute hope, or just a nudge- I often find myself blessed by this now familiar red reminder.
In light of He who sits on the throne, we have every reason to Keep Calm and Carry On, friends.
