Little girls adore crowns. They love to make them. They love to decorate them. They love to wear them. As a mom of three little girls I see evidence of this, especially around my girls’ birthdays. Each one of them wishes to be crowned queen for the day on their birthday. I’m willing to bet there’s a soft side to all of us that would feel honored to have a crown placed upon our heads.
Paul writes to the Corinthians about athletic games, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
As moms we’re always on the go, running, running, running to events, to grocery shop, to deliver a meal to a friend. Our efforts might be valiant, but sometimes all our running might be in vain. I’ve been thinking lately about where I’ve focused my attention. Am I exerting effort into spiritually significant places in my life that will make a lasting impact?
Crowns are so symbolic. They represent valor, royalty and prestige. In our society, it seems people symbolically crown others out of an attempt to recognize success, achievement, and attractive qualities and attributes. I’m convicted even as I write this. Have I stared too long at the shiny “crown” of success upon another mother’s head without being able to recognize it for what it is—an earthly crown?
The Bible says that God will bestow upon the grieving a crown of beauty instead of ashes. It also says that, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” Proverbs 16:31
We have several images from the Bible to choose from when visualizing crowns. We read about crowns upon the heads of those who won athletic games, crowns resting in beauty upon the heads of the grieving, and even gray hair as a radiant crown upon the heads of the elderly who’ve lived righteous lives. We’re also told there’ll be crowns waiting for us in heaven.
My favorite imagery of a crown is the one Jesus wore. I love it for its power. I love it because it’s representative of His sacrifice and love. The One most worthy to be crowned had one placed on His head in mockery.
“They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.” Matthew 27: 28-29
As my little girls giggle and squeal, placing princess crowns upon their youthful innocent heads, it is my prayer that they’ll know of the crown He wore for them and my hope that they’ll live lives intent on pursuing the crown that lasts forever.
That was really beautiful. I have girls too and so the symbolism really hit home for me. Have a blessed day.