The word crown is mentioned 62 times in the Bible. As I thought of what a crown is today I came up with many things. They are an object of beauty and honor. Those given a crown are set apart and looked upon with great favor. We often think of royalty. They are pure gold and without blemish. Often adorned with precious jewels of infinite worth. Ornate. Precious and an outward sign of wisdom and power. Bestowed on leaders with many responsibilities.
The Bible verses I looked up defined the word crown by it's association with: blessings, being distinguished among others, made of gold, holy, costly, made of precious jewels and pure gold, with out blemish, bestowed upon those of grace and favor, and bringing life. I remember being a little girl pretending to be a princess so I could wear a crown. I would make them of flowers, paper, or whatever I could get my little hands on. I dreamed of prince charming and castles. Beautiful horses and long flowing gowns. I think all of us have pretended this before. I would like to show you a verse that really grounded me in my search for becoming a help meet to my wonderfully imperfect prince charming.
An excellent wife ( the KJ version says "A virtuous woman") is the crown of her husband, But she who shames {him} is like rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 12:4
Talk about a huge OUCH!!!!! This was one of those though moments for me. I had to come to grips with the fact that if I wanted to get serious about my marriage and being what God's will was for my life I was greatly lacking and had better clean my spiritual house. I remember thinking that rotten was a harsh word. I also remember thinking that it was sometimes hard to be a crown to someone I was mad at and didn't think deserved it at the time. We have all felt that way I am sure.
There is one thing though...... The Bible doesn't mention that the husband needs to be worthy or perfect. He was placed in leadership and that is that. I asked myself, " Do I set Bart apart from other men in a way that would cause rejoicing?" I had to say with a resounding ring NO. I was more like rottenness in his bones than honor or rejoicing. God's grace and forgiveness was sweet. He gently guided me in ways that I could change my attitude and stop being so selfish. Marriage is not about us. The sooner we can come to terms with that statement the better off we will be. We are here to serve the Mighty God of All and to serve others. We are not to think of ourselves. It is a very easy trap to become self centered in marriage.
I would like to leave you with this thought for the day.....
A wife must be of inner beauty, honor, with our blemish, precious and of infinite worth. She should be these things to her husband even if he is unworthy in our eyes. He is worthy in God's eyes and that is all that matters. Who would want to wear a crown made of filth, ugliness, and bitterness, and the like.
What kind of crown will you choose to be today?
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