The victor’s crown – it’s not always what it seems. The earthy strong, beautiful and able appear draped in velvet. They are viewed by others here on earth with esteem and grandeur. Many voices shout their names aloud and look to them for guidance; but, are these ‘winners’ models of the infinite inheritance – we are given from on high?
The true Victor, who walked as a man without a physical crown, looks at the condition of our supple or hardened souls. He observes that pumping organ that gives us breath – not the physical state it’s in – but, he discerns the shroud of the invisible.
The film that is hidden from mortal men and women, he looks at the heart.
Clutching my chest and looking to the heavens, I often times fear my heart is tattered. Worn and weathered from the world, it faintly pounds with precision. It knows its purpose – to be a life force. But, I fear the beating has diminished.
The channels of this daughter have been clogged, and the worries of this world have discouraged this hopeful soul. Yet, it faintly beats with purpose.
You say powerfully, sweet King – “do not be afraid.”
Thinking of Daniel, rescued from the den of sharp, salivating mouths, you repeatedly told him ‘fear not!’ And, now, you take the time to passionately say that precise phrase to me.
“‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel,’ he told me, ‘because from the first day that you committed yourself to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I’ve come in answer to your prayers.” – Daniel 10:12
My heart accepts it, LORD. Let the desires of my heart be redirected – to those that seek to glorify you. My hopes and dreams of having a royal crest embedded with costly stones fashioned on my head are simply – just that, simple. You made your children for more – to walk in assurance of the tangibly undetected!
I will fasten my unseen crown tightly in place and set my goals on walking the path set before me – which may not always appear like the golden road. May I learn to turn down the rhinestones of this world – to seek what is truly costly in your kingdom!
My feet were made to follow the Victor – the King that wore no earthly crown.
We get so caught up in the physical –the tangible life. Our emotions are attached to jobs, material possessions and flowery accolades from our peers. And, when our expectations are not met, we melt like a Popsicle in the hot summer sun.
Midnight musings – often times they are disheveled thoughts, silent arrow prayers or just words … significant words that parade through your mind and your dreams in the early hours of dawn.
You’re parched – literally craving the mist circling like a watery aura around the garden hose. You lean forward and try to guzzle that stream of cool water; yet – the spicket runs dry before you can enjoy even one taste.
Let’s just breathe – relax. Let’s loosen the feverish grasp we have on the situations we cannot control. Because they are just that – issues we cannot manage ourselves.
Love. It’s bursting forth. Like a bubbling brook with cool, refreshing water. God’s love for us is overflowing and never-ending. What love is this that the Father has lavished upon us!
Humility and kindness – these are qualities that all parents desire to teach their children. In fact, they are attributes our parents strived to pass down on us.
How often do we look at others around us, while we ourselves are growing strong and tall? It happens to us all – we lose sight of our distinctive strengths and fixate on those around us. We lose sight of our personal walk with God and try to measure up to someone else.
I see your thoughts, child. Wild and apprehensive, you look to me with questions and a genuine pursuit of clarity.
Trading Paper Crowns 