“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 (ESV)
Does it feel strange for you to think about receiving a crown? A reward? A prize?
Paul says, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25 (ESV)
After all of this is said and done, and after our life’s journey has run its course, we who are in Christ will stand and receive our crown, our victor’s wreath, for a job that is complete. We will receive the crown that has been promised to those who love him. So… then what?
Here is an honest question… What will we do with our crowns? What then?
I am reminded of a scene in Revelation 4 that may give us an idea…
“And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” – Revelation 4:9-11 (ESV)
In this scene, the cherished rewards and crowns that have been given by Christ to those who have faithfully persevered are simply laid back at the feet of Christ in an act of overwhelming gratitude, awe, and worship. In other words, our crowns are instruments of our worship of the One who is eternally worthy, Jesus.
Do you see the irony in this? Crowns, medals, and rewards are meant to inspire pride in the heart of the one who earned it. It is like an athlete who earns an olympic gold medal… For that athlete, that gold medal will always remind them of their incredible achievement. It will always give them a sense of pride as they look at it.
But, in this scene in Revelation our crowns are not kept to inspire pride in a sense of accomplishment for us. Instead, they are placed at the feet of the throne of Jesus. They are given to the only One that is truly worthy to receive glory and honor and power.
What does that mean for us?
As we face life and as we persevere through the trials and tests of life, let it be a double act of worship. One, we worship Jesus in the moment as we are faithful to Him with our lives, and two, we will worship Jesus eternally as the day will come when we will receive our crowns, which we will then lay at His feet; the only worthy One.