Crowns that need laying down

I can’t believe how the Lord speaks to us in ways we couldn’t see coming. Months ago, I was singing this classic (which im sure many of you know) as I was preparing for my devotional.

We fall down, we lay our crowns

At the feet of Jesus

The greatness of mercy and love

At the feet of Jesus..

We cry, Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lamb.

I had very little understanding of “crowns.” I used to think they were money and fame and the applause of the world. I was quick to think that “crowns” are what the royalty of Europe lay down when they finally give their life to Jesus.

It was a little of an aha moment when I found myself asking the Lord what other things define a CROWN, and He gently pointed out things I have never perceived in my little mind before.

If crowns were merely money and fame, we would gladly say we have nothing to do with them. But we also have “other crowns” that we find hard to lay down.

Pride, when we don’t release forgiveness to someone. We dwell on the fact that they did us wrong, and we rightfully have the right to be hurt, and well, give the cold shoulder. We say, let me nurture my pain, Lord. I just can’t forget what they did, im sure You understand that. I’ll forgive when im ready.

Little did we know that this shiny crown of drama separates us from His presence, because we are so intent on nurturing our aches and live a life of self-pity, instead of telling the enemy (satan) boldly that we were bought at a Price – Jesus -  and we don’t live a life he can trample on anytime he likes.

And how about “a little recognition”? There is nothing wrong with wanting some self-promotion, is there? Well..What is the motive of our heart?

Bringing God all the glory (without wanting anything for ourselves) and wanting some of it (without even realizing it), really don’t work together. We can never promote the Lord if we do it by making ourselves look good.

Do we sensationalize petty things once we see a “ground” to be hurt? We do have the option to pray about it and leave it in His hands, yet we choose to make a big deal out of our own understanding. Many times I have been through this, but if we only pause and allow God to make us see things in HIS OWN PERSPECTIVE, it puts our own thoughts and the enemy that feeds them, to shame.

A “crown”, the crown the song is singing about, is anything, anything at all, that refuses to accept the Lord’s strength and grace, makes us act upon our will or takes matters in our own hands, hampers humility to flow from us, and feeds upon the need of the flesh to look good and feel good, instead of decreasing so that HE will increase.

What other crowns can we add to the list?

Having realized the other meaning of our crowns, im sure the Lord is gently tugging at our hearts to surrender fully everything that doesn’t make us in tune with His Spirit. Life is heavy with excess baggage, so they say. And remember, the LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. (Psalm 145:8, NLT). It is His heart to change us from glory to glory, and what better time there is than now.