Wear your crown - Identity in Christ

It has become so easy in this day and time to walk around with huge headdresses like the ones of fruit worn in musicals, or the water bottles carried by African women, or maybe the feathers in the time of Gatsby. The weight of what we carry around do not seem to bother us at all- in fact, most people seem to be completely oblivious of the heavy mass they are carefully balancing on their heads. As if life is a circus show in which the crowd participates, every person piles on to the craziness. Of course, we do not really see people walking around with extravagant headdresses every day so this must be a metaphor. 

Every day, we are constantly hearing what the world thinks of us – and we pile everything that we hear up onto the ever-growing stack. This spectacle gets heavier and heavier as everyone tries to project their own fears and failures onto those around them. This is what we carry around with us, and it weighs us down daily. As soon as you start excelling at something, or believing in yourself, this stack starts shaking and you slow down to make sure all that you believe you are do not come tumbling to the ground. This is how we stand in our own way, and how we allow what the enemy says about us to become our truth.

Jesus is our advocate, standing in front of the Father at all times begging our case. He is speaking truth over us, and sharing how He sees us. My child is worthy and loved. My bride is beautiful, and enough. You do not have to try so hard, I have already paid the price for you. You are uniquely you, and who I need you to be to fulfill your purpose in My big plan of salvation. You are fully known, and fully accepted. You are who I say you are. 

Crowns are (at least to me) the opposite of such huge eyesores of headdresses. A crown symbolizes royalty, being chosen, and living in a time that you were meant to shine in. Psalm 103:4 says that we are crowned with mercy and grace. There are so many scriptures that speak about the idea of a crown. And even in the biggest act of love, the crucifixion, we see that a crown of thorns was placed on Christ’s head. You are the crown jewel of God’s creation.

So, let’s go sit at the Father’s feet and slowly unpack all that is resting on our heads. Bring all your burdens to Him, and He will give you rest. I find it helpful to write down all the false truths that I carry. I leave them there and ask God to show me what He really thinks about me. I recently heard someone say that the Bible is God prophesying over us – all of his truths, and what He thinks about you, are caught up in the pages of this beautiful love story.

When we ask Him, He will replace all that is weighing us down with a light flower crown. He gives us beauty for ashes, yes – He really is that good. As our identity is secured in Him, we are less likely to allow anything to be placed on our heads.  (this post was originally written in March of 2019)