Crown Exchange

Crown Exchange

Receiving & Resting in God’s Love

“In that day the Lord of hosts will become a beautiful crown.  And a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people.”  Isaiah 28:5

I grew up in Florida in the shadow of Walt Disney World, for as long as I can remember, I dreamed of being a princess and finding true love.  To be a royal one, someone who had access to a kind prince and a king’s crown.

Unfortunately as a child, I was hurt by some of the men in my life that should have been my protector: a coach, a man in our neighborhood, and even my father.  My parent’s marriage appeared stable but was devoid of sacrificial love.  My church focused on works even though it proclaimed salvation by grace.  As a result, I made my own crown, a crown of self-sufficiency, reigning with academic success, popularity, and autonomy.  Vulnerability was a threat.  Dependency, a weakness.

As I grew, it was a challenge to understand and rest in God’s reconciling and perfect love for me, to believe that His crown, His righteousness was enough.  Occasionally there were moments when I would set my crown aside, but it was always within hand’s reach.  I believed that if I was going to be okay, the only person I could rely on was myself.  My “holy trinity” was me, myself, and I.

To this day, to this moment, I struggle with laying aside my crown and trusting God’s words in Isaiah 28:12:

“ ‘Here is rest, give rest to the weary,’ And, ‘Here is repose’ ” - but like the Israelites I struggle with listening.  Instead, I put on my ego-centric crown despite knowing the truth of the gospel.

Although I wrestle with my flesh, often claiming, “Lord I believe, help me in my unbelief”, in His gracious mercy God has increased my faith in His transcending love for me.  And when I breathe in His love, I witness my tremendous and daily need for Him, not only to live as His child, but also to live for His other children that I may “give rest to the weary.”  How can I fulfill my purpose as a daughter of the King if I don’t know who I am?  

May you and I, my brothers and sisters in Christ, take off our self-made crowns and put on the Lord of hosts, a glorious and beautiful diadem.

Questions for Reflection:

What does your self-made crown look like?

Where do you see the Lord encouraging you to rest, to take this crown off and wear instead His gracious love for you?

All Saints Contributor - Kimberly Johnson