Showing posts with label crown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crown. Show all posts
Earlier this week, as I was cutting back my rose bushes, I was reminded of the love of Jesus Christ. As I grabbed hold of one of the branches, I felt a thorn gently touch the skin on my finger. I immediately let go of the branch, making sure to avoid a deeper encounter with this perilous object. The moment I let go, I thought of the crown of thorns that was placed on the head of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Here I was jerking back with disdain for these prickly branches, yet Jesus had much larger thorns driven into His scalp. Suddenly, I was filled with a renewed sense of gratefulness for the love that He showed for you and me. He didn’t let go. Jesus didn’t run away from an uncomfortable situation. He stayed, suffering through every agonizing moment. Why? He did it out of love for you and me.
As children, we often learn to recite John 3:16. The scripture reads, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” While this verse is entirely true, letter for letter, there is another scripture reference that I feel is equally important. I John 3:16 (NIV) states, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” Right within this single verse, we have a definition of love that transcends any that we find in a dictionary. Love means being willing to give your life for someone else. Now this doesn’t mean we need to put ourselves in dangerous situations just in an effort to show someone affection. This means that we should hold others in such high regard that we would do anything for them, to help them in any way that we possibly could.
Jesus knew that His Father’s will was for Him to die on the cross. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for this cup to pass from Him. But then He followed this prayer with the words, “Not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39 NIV). Jesus did not want to suffer and die. But He knew that His Father’s will was more important than His own. I am also sure that God did not want to watch His only Son suffer and die. Still, they both knew that this was what must occur for you and me to have eternal life. In John 3:16, we see God’s love for us being shown through the gift of His Son. Then, in I John 3:16, we see Jesus’ love for us through the gift of His life.
Think about it. The God who created the Heavens and Earth out of nothing gives His only Son who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, just to save us from our sins. Jesus agrees to be mocked and spit upon and abused just so we could be redeemed. They loved us when we were still sinners. We were unlovable. We were nothing. But because of the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross more than 2,000 years ago, we became something. Individuals who trust in Jesus Christ are now heirs of Christ, covered by His blood, bought with a price. Our sins have been washed away and we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. All because of the love Jesus and His Father have for us, a love that is greater than we could ever fully comprehend or imagine.
When they placed the crown of thorns upon His head, I know Jesus was in pain. But in spite of the pain, He knew He was doing it for you and me. Perhaps He was thinking, this is for My children. It will be worth it all. I know they are special in My Father’s sight and I love them just as much as He does. I would do anything to grant them eternal life. Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to save Him from this humiliating and excruciating death. But His love was too great. He persevered, knowing that each step toward Golgotha was fulfilling the will of God. He knew that all these things must come to pass before future generations would have freedom through Christ. He knew He had to die so that we might live eternally with Him. Jesus was the only perfect man to walk on the face of this earth. But He still had to die, so that we might live. This is love.
Perhaps you are reading this thinking that no one could ever love you. You may have done things that you are ashamed to even think about, much less talk about. But I want to encourage you today. No matter what you have done or where you have been, Jesus Christ died for you. He loves you more than you could imagine. He longs to have a personal relationship with you. He wants you to talk to Him on a daily basis. He wants to be a friend who sticks closer than a brother. If you do not have this type of relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to repeat these words aloud, from your heart:
Dear Jesus, I thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I am so unworthy. Thank you for loving me when I was unlovable. I was like the thorns, but I know you can turn me into a beautiful rosebud, transforming my corrupt life into something beautiful. Please come into my heart and make me a new creation. Please forgive me of my sins. I want to live for You. Help me share Your love with others. In Your Precious Name, Amen.
If you prayed these words, please send me an e-mail at jennifer@jennifercampbell.net or comment below. I would like to congratulate you on making the best decision of your life. I would also like to send you some sources of encouragement to help you grow as a new Christian. If you are already a Christian, living for the Lord, I would also love to hear what God is doing in your life.
This Easter, remember to thank Jesus for giving His life for you. He loves you so much. Share His love with someone else today. Invite someone to church. Tell your coworkers, neighbors, friends, or family about what Jesus means to you. Don’t be afraid of what they will think, as I was afraid to grasp hold of the thorny rose bush. Jump in there and tell them what He has done for you! He thought you were worth dying for. Now that is something to talk about! Don’t just go to church on Easter, but live your life in a way that reflects the love of Jesus to everyone you meet, every day of the year. Radiate the infinite love of Jesus Christ. He gave His life for you. What will you give to Him in return?
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
When I was a little girl, I remember watching the movie Cinderella, wondering if one day I would become a princess and get swept off of my feet by Prince Charming. I would also stand mesmerized when I saw the Disney Princesses dance across the forecourt stage at Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World in Orlando. While I never truly aspired to be a “princess” when I grew up, I often wondered what it would be like to have a glistening crown placed upon my head. I vividly recall playing dress up with my friends, where I would put on a fancy dress, high heel shoes, and a little plastic tiara. I would twirl around just like a little princess, enjoying my reign, no matter how temporary it may have been. Years ago, when I was pretending to be a princess, God must have been smiling up in Heaven. You see, God has always known that today, one of my childhood dreams really would come true.
Today, I was crowned Ms. Suwannee County Fair 2011. Standing on the platform, receiving my crown, sash, and trophies, I stood in awe that God would give me this opportunity. I truly felt like a princess. I was humbled, very shocked, and felt completely overjoyed. Nearly every emotion ran through my mind like a whirlwind. As I filled out the application several weeks ago, I wondered why I suddenly had a desire to enter my first beauty pageant. Still, the desire was there, so I forged ahead with my plans. Now I know God must have been nudging me all along, knowing how happy I would be with the outcome. He knew that I, a daughter of the King, would enjoy a journey to cloud nine. He knew my nearly perpetual smile would grow just a little bit wider when the crown was placed upon my head. Having lived in Suwannee County all of my life, earning the title Ms. Suwannee County Fair is quite special to me. I have literally grown up watching the county fair change over the years. And yet, there are a lot of things that have remained the same. Walking past the Livestock Barn, I fondly remember my ten years in 4-H when I participated in the swine show, goat show, pet show…you name it, I was in it! When I walk through the youth exhibits, I remember the countless hours my Mom and I spent with other 4-Hers, preparing and building masterpieces in those perfectly square, blue curtained spaces. As I walk through the midway, I think of the first time I rode the Tilt-a-Whirl, and when I visit the petting zoo, I remember the time the owner of the previous petting zoo gave me my first pygmy goat. The county fair holds so many fond memories, and I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to create new memories. From the infamous corn boil to the Lion’s Club food pavilion and the poultry barn to the crafts exhibit, the county fair will always hold a special place in my heart.
Even amid the unfathomable joy that continues to fill my heart, my first ever pageant win was somewhat bittersweet at first. I couldn’t help but think how proud my Mom would have been and how excited she would have been to see me crowned in my first pageant, receiving my first sash and my first crown. Still, I am so thankful that I have my Dad here, supporting me in everything I do. The past couple of years have been very difficult for us. Old experiences are hard because my Mom, Dad, and I did them together. New experiences are tough because I wish my Mom had been able to experience them with my Dad and me. There are times when I want to avoid new things altogether because my Mom is not here. In the past few months, God has helped me see that I can still enjoy life without my Mom. It is a new and different “normal,” but my Dad and I are able to embrace new experiences, anticipating the amazing father-daughter adventures that God has in store. And I have been able to fully enjoy new experiences like my trip to All Access in Nashville and my first beauty pageant. Although there was a time when I wondered why God would give me all of these new experiences now, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that has a dream for my life. Today, part of this dream came true.
While receiving this earthly crown has filled me with indescribable delight, there is another crown that I know will fill me with joy like I have never known before. It does not bring with it a trophy or a sash, but instead, this crown is accompanied by eternal life. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” In life, we will experience difficulties that are beyond our control. We will see and hear things that are beyond the reach of our understanding. In these moments, we need to remember that God has everything under control. God wants us to put our faith and trust in Him. He will lead us to new experiences that are beyond our wildest dreams. And with each new experience, we will simultaneously find joy on earth, and we will be one step closer to finishing this earthly race and obtaining our Heavenly crown.
In Christ's Love,
Jennifer