Eternal Crowns

When God promised us something, we know that He will surely accomplish it. But, He never hands us over the blueprint of the exact plan He has on mind. We know that we will reach the Promised Land when He said so but most of the times, we are clueless on what are the exact atrociously-painful situations that we have to go through. We know the beginning and the end but we don't know the details 'in between'. Right, we anticipate trials but we can never really make a very precise decision unless we are at that situation (Does “cross the bridge when you get there” advice ring a bell?).

When you receive a word from GOD, I’m pretty sure you will be thrilled and energized. It's in the beginning where you will hear all the "Hallelujah" and "Praise the Lord". The excitement is so high. The faith is so BIG. How much more during the triumphant days (end)? All the praises you can utter!

But what about during the “in between”? It's during these times that you can hear all the possible venomous doubts that the enemy can whisper. Can I really make it? Did I really hear God when He said go? What if I’m wrong? What if I should have done the other way instead? All these mind boggling "what if(s)" happen here. The “in between” is the toughest and most crucial part because breakdown may happen here but your choices and actions during these times will determine if you will make it to your promised land - something that the Israelites did not understand.

The Israelites knew that they were on their journey to their promised land but they were not informed (not even Moses) that they had to wait for 40 long years. Probably all types of whining and complaining were uttered when they can’t seem to see what have been promised to them. Pile up every concern that they had plus factor-in the agony of waiting – is a situation that probably most of us can relate with. The ending of the story may be the same or could also be different but that’s up to the choices that we will make. Our actions will dictate the ending of our story. Wonder why some Israelites didn’t reach their promised land? I bet you know the answer!

When I heard God audibly say (just few months old as a believer), “I have appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you. (John 15:16)", my heart rejoiced and I was so empowered! But, He didn't give me a complete list of all the heart-breaking experiences that I have to run through. He didn't say that I will struggle for my tuition fees nor mentioned that for many days I will get starved. He did not tell me about my dad… or mom will be… or kuya will face these… or ate will have... or our bunso is… and all other bloody stuffs… But most importantly (with a deep sigh), God “purposively failed” to warn me that most of these excruciating things will happen at the same time...

No doubt, the “in between-process” is the most vital stage because it’s in here where we are molded and transformed into His likeness. And it is here where we can get our crowns.

“but we do it to get a crown that will last forever…” 1 Cor 9:25

Crown symbolizes kingship but you can only be a king if you are conquering a territory. What territories or areas of your life that you want to conquer? And what are the crowns that you now have or still want to acquire? Crown of generosity? Crown of perseverance? Crown of loving-kindness? You name them and grab hold of them for the enemy wants to take them away from you.

“I am coming soon! Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your crown.” Revelation 3:11 (emphasis added)

I have not come to the most essential part yet. Flip your Bible to Revelation 4:9-11

“Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne…” (emphasis added)

Let me put a stress on “They lay their crowns before the throne…” Granted, we will be saved since we have accepted CHRIST as our Lord and Saviour but if that’s God only intention then He should have omitted the “in-between-process” and has already taken us up with HIM right after we have accepted CHRIST. If that’s the case then all that we can say when we meet HIM is, “Thank You Lord for saving me.” But that’s not it. All these battles that we’re fighting for are for HIM. If we’re surpassing all these just for our own satisfaction then I guess, we will not really have that drive to finish the race but if we’re pressing on because of our love for HIM, then all these are crowns are indeed worth fighting for. How encouraging to know that when the appointed day will come, we will not only thank and praise HIM for saving us, but also offer HIM all the crowns that we steadfastly hold on.

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself” Revelation 9:11-12

As a final note, I would lie if I will say that I never questioned His promises because I honestly did.... In fact, more than once especially on family matters. There are also times that I tend to go back to my comfort zone instead but I know that in every place that I will enter in, there is always a corresponding place that I have to go out from or leave behind.

With all these words, I’m only left with this question, how many crowns will I be offering to Jesus on that appointed day?