The Naked Crown
10/21/10
NAKED CROWN
My crown is naked just like me. Don’t get me wrong I’m courageously pressing towards the goal God has set for me. I know I’m more than a conqueror, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know my purpose and why I’m still breathing on God’s magnificent green earth. God has designed me to be influential; he has created me to be a great ambassador for his kingdom to come and a discerning leader of the present one (And the wisdom is beginning to show. I already have one gray hair. Yikes!) I speak truth and I am a fair friend to all who are in my company. I have the confidence of a lion, the poise and grace of a queen and the energy of a toddler.
But yet I’m still naked.
I have a long way to perfection.
As I walk down the bustling affluent streets of Manhattan no one knows my name. I look to the left of me and see Wall Street credentials, I look to the left of me and I spot an Ivy League influence. I can not compare. I’m just an insignificant twenty something year old who shops in stores she can not afford. I am woman who has not taken off in her career, who is not an owner of a business, not a shareholder in stock or even a homeowner and over a year has past since I celebrated the momentous day I passed my road test and every week I swipe my ATM to purchase a metro card. Huh? I don’t get it? When will I be SUCCESSFUL?
In this world I am unknown, inexperienced and unaccepted.
I am not acknowledged- Yet.
I feel naked, exposed, unaccomplished and gray in amidst of color. But-Wait a minute-
How could I forget?? I remember the crown that rest upon my head, I remember the possessions I had to take off to wear it, and I remember the sacrifices I had to lay down to continue wearing it. I touch the spikes and feel the soft smooth gold and remember the crown of promise. I am a naked woman in a sea of mink coats and Italian suede jackets. But I am not intimidated. I don’t want what they have. I’ve been stripped of airs and pompous adornments. I am naked with humility. Although I am an unknown my crown shines through my flaws and illuminates my gifts but the people that surround me are blind to its ravishing beauty. My body resists the crowd as they push past me and almost knock me down with belittling impatience. Even though it’s dangerous I turn and walk against traffic and not with it. My confidence in Christ rises with every step. I follow the invisible force that leads me to peace and prosperity.
Passersby call me all types of names: weirdo, ranting radical, vigilant daydreamer.
They all laugh at my nakedness.
They call my crown a figment of my imagination.
"Just who does she think she is? She is not royalty. She thinks she is being called to lead a generation, how delusional! How pathetic!"
But I still walk on.
"Do you see how small she is? She IS INSANE!! Where does she think she’s going? The crowd will trample her- abominate her! No one will follow her."
I hear their taunts and jests and I am not afraid for what they don’t see is that I am clothed and protected by the spiritual family tree…
"The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known." (1John 3: 1-2)
Yes. It all makes sense now. They don’t know that…
I am God’s child.
I am a Co-heir with Christ.
It is in my bloodline to lead.
It is in my genes to stand rooted and firm for what I know is true.
They are not aware that this mighty lineage coats me with intensifying warmth that no high end designer coat can give me. I hear my father’s assuring voice say, "Daughter, I will go with you against the crowd."
And I pick up the pace.
His presence guides me through the fading opulence of the populated streets.
Past time and space he leads me to the promises of tomorrow.
And my faith is maximized.
There before my eyes, I envision it, right before me, my inheritance! He promised me it would come without delay.
And my robes of pure gold become visible in their sight, "fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear" (Rev. 19:8). The power from the Most High parts a clear path for me; I’m no longer knocked down by the crowd.
My destiny has arrived.
Converters look at me and ask one another, "Who is she? Where did she come from? Who does she know?? Whoever he is we want to know him too!" They strip from their worldly possessions and follow the light that leads me.
Doubters stand back in frowning irremovable masks and shake their heads,
"She was unknown before; now we know her name and who she represents! But we still don’t believe. Impossible!" they say.
My crown grows ablaze with brilliant marvelous colors only the master jeweler can shape. The finest gold is melded with sliver and platinum in his hands as destiny positions me in a higher place to declare the wonderful works of his holy name! How Stupendous!
But…Today-
I lean against the department store glass windows and peer ahead past the swarms of opportunists.
Yes I am hopeful, but as of today my crown is naked, no jewels embody its heated form. But it is ablaze with a fiery love and an emblem of integrity and for now I am humble with my lowly position.
Today, I can enjoy spending time with my king without interference, complications or interruptions from those that try to wipe out my reign.
Tomorrow all eyes will be on me, a regal representative of Christ.
Yes, I am content with the present, I expose my nakedness, adjust my indistinguishable crown straighten my back and walk against the crowd.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1Peter 2:9)
Amen.
NAKED CROWN
My crown is naked just like me. Don’t get me wrong I’m courageously pressing towards the goal God has set for me. I know I’m more than a conqueror, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know my purpose and why I’m still breathing on God’s magnificent green earth. God has designed me to be influential; he has created me to be a great ambassador for his kingdom to come and a discerning leader of the present one (And the wisdom is beginning to show. I already have one gray hair. Yikes!) I speak truth and I am a fair friend to all who are in my company. I have the confidence of a lion, the poise and grace of a queen and the energy of a toddler.
But yet I’m still naked.
I have a long way to perfection.
As I walk down the bustling affluent streets of Manhattan no one knows my name. I look to the left of me and see Wall Street credentials, I look to the left of me and I spot an Ivy League influence. I can not compare. I’m just an insignificant twenty something year old who shops in stores she can not afford. I am woman who has not taken off in her career, who is not an owner of a business, not a shareholder in stock or even a homeowner and over a year has past since I celebrated the momentous day I passed my road test and every week I swipe my ATM to purchase a metro card. Huh? I don’t get it? When will I be SUCCESSFUL?
In this world I am unknown, inexperienced and unaccepted.
I am not acknowledged- Yet.
I feel naked, exposed, unaccomplished and gray in amidst of color. But-Wait a minute-
How could I forget?? I remember the crown that rest upon my head, I remember the possessions I had to take off to wear it, and I remember the sacrifices I had to lay down to continue wearing it. I touch the spikes and feel the soft smooth gold and remember the crown of promise. I am a naked woman in a sea of mink coats and Italian suede jackets. But I am not intimidated. I don’t want what they have. I’ve been stripped of airs and pompous adornments. I am naked with humility. Although I am an unknown my crown shines through my flaws and illuminates my gifts but the people that surround me are blind to its ravishing beauty. My body resists the crowd as they push past me and almost knock me down with belittling impatience. Even though it’s dangerous I turn and walk against traffic and not with it. My confidence in Christ rises with every step. I follow the invisible force that leads me to peace and prosperity.
Passersby call me all types of names: weirdo, ranting radical, vigilant daydreamer.
They all laugh at my nakedness.
They call my crown a figment of my imagination.
"Just who does she think she is? She is not royalty. She thinks she is being called to lead a generation, how delusional! How pathetic!"
But I still walk on.
"Do you see how small she is? She IS INSANE!! Where does she think she’s going? The crowd will trample her- abominate her! No one will follow her."
I hear their taunts and jests and I am not afraid for what they don’t see is that I am clothed and protected by the spiritual family tree…
"The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known." (1John 3: 1-2)
Yes. It all makes sense now. They don’t know that…
I am God’s child.
I am a Co-heir with Christ.
It is in my bloodline to lead.
It is in my genes to stand rooted and firm for what I know is true.
They are not aware that this mighty lineage coats me with intensifying warmth that no high end designer coat can give me. I hear my father’s assuring voice say, "Daughter, I will go with you against the crowd."
And I pick up the pace.
His presence guides me through the fading opulence of the populated streets.
Past time and space he leads me to the promises of tomorrow.
And my faith is maximized.
There before my eyes, I envision it, right before me, my inheritance! He promised me it would come without delay.
And my robes of pure gold become visible in their sight, "fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear" (Rev. 19:8). The power from the Most High parts a clear path for me; I’m no longer knocked down by the crowd.
My destiny has arrived.
Converters look at me and ask one another, "Who is she? Where did she come from? Who does she know?? Whoever he is we want to know him too!" They strip from their worldly possessions and follow the light that leads me.
Doubters stand back in frowning irremovable masks and shake their heads,
"She was unknown before; now we know her name and who she represents! But we still don’t believe. Impossible!" they say.
My crown grows ablaze with brilliant marvelous colors only the master jeweler can shape. The finest gold is melded with sliver and platinum in his hands as destiny positions me in a higher place to declare the wonderful works of his holy name! How Stupendous!
But…Today-
I lean against the department store glass windows and peer ahead past the swarms of opportunists.
Yes I am hopeful, but as of today my crown is naked, no jewels embody its heated form. But it is ablaze with a fiery love and an emblem of integrity and for now I am humble with my lowly position.
Today, I can enjoy spending time with my king without interference, complications or interruptions from those that try to wipe out my reign.
Tomorrow all eyes will be on me, a regal representative of Christ.
Yes, I am content with the present, I expose my nakedness, adjust my indistinguishable crown straighten my back and walk against the crowd.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1Peter 2:9)
Amen.