Last night went very well at my place, the living room was full. I bought 10 crowns for my object lesson and I was amazed that 10 women showed up. I thought that was a great turn out. Then 2 more showed up shortly after we started. 2 of those were new first-timers and that is always the best.

We looked at Martha from Luke 10:38-42 and talked about her character flaws and how we can end up looking like her. She was not only a “busy-body” but the purpose behind why she fussed so much for Jesus was that she got her value in what she did for people/God. She showed signs of insecurity and perfectionism.

We asked ourselves, “Why do we do the things we do?” Is it so that people will take notice? Because it makes us feel important/loved? Because no one else can do it the same way? Because if we don’t do it… it won’t get done? We don’t want to disappoint anyone? We have nothing to prove to people and God already loves us for who we are — not what we can do for Him. We don’t have to prove we are worthy of His love — He just loves us, we are His kids.

I handed out crowns as the ladies walked through the door. Then after the story asked them what they had done to deserve the crown. Nothing! They were given the crown because they told me Christ was in them. The crown symbolized gifts that were given to us the moment we trusted in Christ’s saving grace! We studied our crowns intently. Not a single gem had engraved on it, “Earned when __________ sacrificed by helping in __________.”

We are perfectly known and perfectly loved. We don’t have to keep saying, “Hey, look at me, see what I’m doing, I’m doing well aren’t I?” You are valuable not because of what you do but because of who you are in the Lord.

My crown of righteousness is already placed on my head, I don’t need to polish it. It is radiantly reflecting God’s grace. He gave me my royal duds even though I don’t deserve them. The more you have the “new self” Ephesians 4:24 talks about the more you won’t feel compelled to say yes to everything. You’ll be able to laugh at mistakes and not feel as if everyone is criticizing you. You’ll be more able to reveal your less-than-perfect self to others, knowing that their attitudes and opinions about you pale in comparison to God’s opinion of you.