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.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
DELIVERY DATE
Expectant moms are given nine months to wait for new life to birth. When shoppers order from their favorite catalogues or retail websites they receive a confirmation number informing them that their package is arriving at a specific date. Newspapers and subscription magazines are delivered on our doorstep or left in our mailboxes at a daily, weekly or monthly basis. If our delivery is not delivered on time we investigate the delay. We expect the delivery to be on time and intact or else there is a problem! We live in a world of expectancy. We want what is anticipated, no exceptions.
So it was frustrating when I ordered a valuable item online and it was never delivered to my address. I paid extra for overnight shipping so that my highly anticipated package would arrive the next day. I received a confirmation email and was given the expectant date of arrival: September 24, 2010. "Great. My package will arrive tomorrow on my day off", I said to myself. Everything was working out as normal. But to my astonishment tomorrow came and I sat in my house and waited. No package. So I called the shipping company to identify the problem. "Wrong address", they said. "But how could that be?" I asked, "I ordered numerous items from this particular company and they were all delivered to the right address." Strange.
However, I was relieved the problem was addressed (no pun intended) and my delivery was on the way. Sure I wasn’t off from work but I managed for someone to be available when the courier arrived. The next day came and left, still no package. Now I was growing a little annoyed. I called the home office and discovered they were still attempting to deliver the package to the wrong address. I gave my correct address to the call center and expressed my disappointment with their performance, "If this package wasn’t important I wouldn’t have paid to expedite its delivery, I wouldn’t have ordered it at all." It took several attempts to retrieve the package, with no success. One day I was walking my dog and the delivery truck was parked in my neighborhood. They had my package and it was still stamped with the wrong address. They were going to deliver it to the wrong house again. Can you imagine the owner of the frequently visited apartment opening the door to laid eyes on that cumbersome package! A package they didn’t ask for or want. Poor law abiding citizens.
Once I received my package I could’ve insulted or interrogated the driver. It was what I felt like doing five days ago. But I no longer felt aggravated; I had my package despite all the trials I had to go through to obtain it. Now that I look back it was actually comical, a simple delivery turned into a circus act. I was jumping through hoops to retrieve something not as valuable as I made it seem. But it was something I really wanted at the moment that I didn’t receive and it made me angry. I expected its arrival but it disappointed me.
Once I got over my pouting I was able to set my mind on more Christ centered thoughts… thoughts that had other people in mind.
Names ran through my brain that I had to pray for, I wrote an encouraging note for a friend and went grocery shopping for my home. All of these errands were fogged by one selfish want I made priority. I wanted that package so badly because I expected it, it was on my mind constantly. I needed it to satisfy a pleasurable pastime (TV). It was routine and it was mine, I bought it!
And when I set my mind on what greater package God has for me on the way all I can do is feel silly at all fuss I made over fluff.
What immaturity!
If I could humble myself to wait for something I paid for, something so superficial, I can definitely wait for something that is so great I almost feel undeserving. Something that is worth waiting for …
This package is so enormous I figure if I knew the date of its delivery, I would stay up all night with hampered anticipation. I wouldn’t be able to sleep or eat. God knows his children more than we know ourselves. I wouldn’t be able to minister to one single woman if I knew my future husband was coming on a Saturday, I would do nothing on Saturdays! If I knew what day he would arrive I would want to know more, like… "How tall is he? Where is his family from? Does he like long walks on the beach or cuddling by candlelight? Does he prefer home cooked meals or take out?
Who cares?!
I trust my father with the selection, the shipping and delivery!
I trust him with the whole process because God is not a man that he should break promises ("it is impossible for God to lie," NIV Heb.6:18) or deliver my package to someone else’s doorstep. What he handcrafted and selected for me is for me. We as women of God each have a delivery date, whether it is a husband, a job, a plot of land or divine health. And we must be patient and trust him with the shipping and handling! God’s word is true and he never delays on his promises. They are delivered at the right place and at the right time.
"And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." (NIV Hebrews 5:15)
Happy Ordering!
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