The Weekly Encourager – January 5, 2018 – The Crown

Have you seen “The Crown” on Netflix? It's an absorbing drama about Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip. After Season 2 was released, some people were eager to correct mistakes in the Netflix rendition. While it was based on historical events, I had no illusions about every detail being entirely factual. This is entertainment, folks, not fact.

Halfway through Season 2 of “The Crown,” it was Christmas Eve. That evening, a good friend wore a shirt with a large, colorful crown on it. After the year I've had, seeing the Crown of Life depicted in such a beautiful way brought tears to my eyes. Like “The Crown,” this rendition was only an artist's interpretation of events. But the concept was based on fact from an unerring irrefutable source, the Holy Bible. No media personality is going to write a blog post pointing out inaccuracies. This art was not entertainment, but edification: a reminder of truth to give us hope.

No matter what kind of year you've had, there is hope! God promises “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” - James 1:12 How appropriate to consider the crown of life on Christmas Eve! This is what it's all about, all the grief and all the joy: living for the crown. Because the King of Kings came to earth to wear – for us – the horrible crown of thorns, we can look forward to a royal crown of life in eternity. From His suffering will come our joy.

I've been comparing and contrasting Queen Elizabeth's crown with the one God promises. In the Netflix series, the writers depict the constant duty of a modern monarch. Service rules her entire life, influencing every decision. As followers of Christ, diligent service to God should permeate our whole life. Also, the queen's calling is stressful: her life seems full of landmines both political and personal. In a broken world, you can expect problems from your closest relationships to the most distant parts of your realm. That much is similar to what we have in our lives. However, worldly kings and queens will not carry their crowns into eternity. They work “with strict discipline...for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.” - 1 Corinthians 9:25.   In Heaven, the first shall be last. If Queen Elizabeth has a high rank in that place, it will a reward from God for faithful service to His crown. She must bow to a higher throne.

One interesting aspect of the Netflix series is the essential importance of Balmoral Castle in Scotland. This royal home is where the queen retreats for short periods to rest. The highlands seem to be the one place where she can relax and truly be herself. For us, the prayer closet is our Balmoral.  To live for the crown, it is essential that we go there on a regular basis. We retreat to the “high places” to find God “in the mountain of His holiness.” Private prayer is the one place where we can truly be ourselves in every aspect, free to express any thought or feeling or desire or heartache. In God's holy presence we are fully known, yet fully forgiven and fully loved. We dwell on the holy mount now only in prayer, but one day we will dwell there in body and soul. We will enjoy the privileges of royalty forever!

How can this be true? That is the miracle of Christmas: God loves us. In the Bible we read that the Lord “made [us] a little lower than the angels and crowned [us] with glory and honor.” - Psalm 8:4; Hebrews 2:7. This is the God “who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” - Psalm 103:4. Jesus, the High King, says, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer….Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” - Revelation 2:10.

O Lord, “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” - Psalm 65:11

Happy New Year!  Live for the crown!

God is faithful,
j