The Privileged Life: Wear the Crown…with Joy

“…and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4

A winsome missionary lady named Martha Hoke once told me her unique way to strike up a conversation with others while she was on the mission field in Japan.

“When I was out in public, maybe on a train, and people would ask me where I was from, I’d say I was from America,” she said. “When they asked why I was in Japan and what I did, I’d tell them I was there as an ambassador for my king. They usually looked puzzled…‘We didn’t know America had a king, only a president.’

‘Oh,’ I’d say, ‘I’m an ambassador for a higher king…Jesus. You see, I’m His daughter.’ ”

Her effervescence, infectious smile, and unexpected comments got the ball rolling on conversations about Christ. She “wore the crown” with enthusiasm!

Martha has now passed on to glory, lifting heavenly hallelujahs to her King. But her story has stayed with me. Do I wear the crown well? Does my King see me as an amiable, unapologetic, joyful ambassador for Him?

Imagine for a moment that your dad is a genuine king. That makes you a prince or princess. Always. It’s who you are, and it affects what you do. The crown never comes off your head, even when you forget it’s there. You have royal responsibilities, to represent him in the marketplace and in relationships with others.

As a child of the Heavenly King, you’re in the same position. You are heir to His “riches”—abundant life on earth and eternal life in His presence. You are granted privileged access whenever you wish to His throne room—you can approach Him in prayer, holy awe, joy, and pure peace. You are loved so much by your Father King.

Isn’t that worth telling the world? Shouldn’t others be invited to enjoy this privilege as well?

Since hearing Martha’s story, I’ve often shared my identity as a “princess ambassador” for Jesus while telling Bible stories to children at our church and in other countries. I walk in wearing a rhinestone tiara, asking the children if they think I’m a real princess…usually they just laugh!

But I assure them that I am, indeed, a princess for Jesus and explain that they can be princes and princesses, too, if they ask Jesus into their hearts. Then they all have fun making bejeweled paper crowns for themselves.

It’s a tough assignment to be a royal ambassador. I’m afraid my crown is often tilted sideways or covered up under a hoodie…maybe a little tarnished, too, from disuse.

As we go through this week, though, let’s ask Jesus to polish our crowns and plant them firmly on our heads…so that we’re ready to honor our King by sharing His great love with the rest of the world.

Wear the crown, with joy!

Great King of all creation, how we praise You for making us Your children! Remind us of our status in Your courts, how we are already “seated in the heavenly places” in Christ. Send us forth as Your ambassadors, eager to tell the world about Your amazing love. In the name of Your royal Son, Jesus, Amen.

Giselle (left) served as an amazing translator for me when I told Bible stories to El Salvadoran schoolchildren…she is a beautiful “princess” for her King Jesus!

After a Bible lesson, this precious girl in Ecuador spontaneously drew a heart with a cross in it, using sidewalk chalk. When I asked what it meant, she said she had invited Jesus into her heart…made me cry.

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