CROWN HIM ~ old or new version of the hymn, He is the same King

In the video depiction of the Ancient Hymn Crown Him With Many Crowns, there are breathtaking examples of the creation of God. This song may be older and less contemporary but, I will share two versions of this magnificent hymn in this Hub. The words are what is so very important. (Please take time to listen to the song twice in the versions below) When we hear things more than once we tend to retain it better. This video depicts the natural and undeniable beauty of creation. He gave us all of this world, how could we think for a second we have more to give than He. How could we believe our existence is for anything other than to offer Him all of ourselves. If we have shouted from a mountaintop look at ME, and I am so sure we have, forgive us our iniquities, Lord. For I know you created the mountain and you place us on it to glorify, You. To be reminded of this is important and humbling at best. So why do we forget minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour?

To pray a simple prayer and fully believe the intention, is to honor God. At the same time to succumb to the weakness that keeps us from fully honoring Him and following His word is very natural to our humanness.

We are not to be self–righteous, but rather give glory and honor where it is due. How easily we're taken in by the ambiance of this fast paced existence. We start any given day with the intentions to glorify our Father in Heaven. We could have practiced it in our sleep, telling ourselves we would never let anything distract us from our mission. We are focused and ready as our eyes are fixed on the promises of the cross. And then it happens, Life!

Perhaps you're heading to work and remember you left the report on the table at home so you rush through the already tedious traffic back to the house. Now in full recognition of our senses as the coffee you may have had, has kicked in. It has already allowed for your heart rate to increase waking you to the routine of our day. But it has happened, Life! You're now impatient with the older couple in the vehicle in front of you that is heading to their doctor's appointment hours ahead of schedule so they will not be late.

The frustration mounts when you come upon the school zone you were once so grateful for as they protect our children. But, you are late, and now unsettled by the fact that the light is blinking 15 mph even though the children are already in the building. You are also keenly aware of the proficient police car that is notably placed in the zone to be observant of impatient motorists. With this little mishap, everything has gone to a snail's pace and the only reason we can see that this would happen is for our demise and torture. Not once are you thinking this is for the glorification of our God.

Now this is just an example of one distraction and you could add any number of examples here. Perhaps it was a lack of communication with a child as they headed off to school. It may have been words that were not clarified the day before with a friend, spouse or parent.

As sure as I am of these feelings of frustration, anger, even the desire to give up. I am also sure of one more thing. I know that as a Christian your heart may have been under attack by any number of distractions or deterrents, but the desires of your private heart if truly you have asked Him there, are always to return to Him. I know that in the moment of any frustration we are not perfect and we make mistakes.

After our mistake we want to reel in the line we have just cast, but there are snags. I know that at times that line can get caught on a tree or root that may pull us down for a bit. I also know God has the power to release the snag. He can cut you free no matter how tangled up things can become. His timing for this may cause a bit of confusion. Try to be comforted as He is working with us in these moments.

It is true that even while bringing others to, the word, we are stumbling. At times, we may trip into our front doors where we feel the pull to shed the cloth of Christ follower and return to those Human deterrents. I am not claiming we are perfect and we all do shed the cloth at times. We allow ourselves our human reactions and needs. We rally for the endurance to continue to trust and not give into the distractions. We are not alone in this and we are the majority.

God knows and witnesses as we take off the cloth and then place it back on. He is very aware of our human desires and confusion. He is understanding and forgiving of our imperfections. This is free will and He has allowed it. The reason one person may appear stronger to you at any given time as opposed to yourself is because God is shining His light through them. He is using them as a vessel. Just as that vessel is bright and attractive there are times He will allow the light to be dimmed and a crack to show.

This is just as important as He uses our cracks to seek the repair time. We are the body of Christ and we get into accidents and we need to allow Him to work out the dings and scratches. He has perseverance, chisels of perfection and polish for us to shine again for Him after any circumstance. He pulls the focus from each of us and places it back to His Divine plan. He does not want to break you, although it feels like it at times. He wants us to turn to Him and praise Him and glorify the mere fact that He allows us to be just that, His vessels.

We will often lose our endurance to honor Him. We will need constant molding and direction. Our roles will be ever changing, again we will be the bright light that guides the way at times and we will be the one under attack to make others know it is okay and that no one is perfect in this flesh bound existence. We are not to judge one another, as our role tomorrow may not be the one we planned. Ultimately, whatever we do does not matter as God is in control. We can, however, live for Him and do our best to learn more about him. We can do our best to hear His word, retain it and continue to water it to attempt to produce a good crop for Him. We can help each other if we see a weed sprouting up so we do not allow it to choke seedlings’ in progress or even plants that may have wilted a little. We can hold each other accountable in a gentle and forgiving way as does God our Father.

Luke 8: 14-15

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hears the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a good crop.

We can ask for help and admit our shortcomings and recognize we are all the same as servants for Him. None of us is greater and none lesser in His eyes. We must recognize that we will not always understand the why's and what’s that He wants for us. We must go to Him in deep prayer to be open to His task. He will build us up, humble us, water us, feed us and provide us with all of our needs.

One day if we stay vigilant in the garden here. He will then bring us home to paradise. All of His children, and we are all going to need to help out on this playground. Here on earth we will be the nice kid, the mean kid,the scared kid … but no matter what, we are HIS kids.

Age does not matter; you may like the older version of Crown Him With Many Crowns. You may like the most contemporary version. That is just fine seeing the words are the same.

You may be at a different stage in your walk than someone else. Perhaps you have slipped, maybe your just starting. God is not looking at your mistakes He already knows what they are. He just wants to get you into His body shop for some fine-tuning.

No worries He is not going to change your car too much unless you want Him to, but if you are open He can turn a Pinto into a Rolls Royce. This will only happen if you are driving for Him. Remember this is just a moment. It's not the car you drive that is important, but rather how you drive it.

It is also important to know He needs all types of vessels. No one wants to be just like someone else. He made each of us wonderfully and for Him. He knows our weaknesses and our strengths and He uses all of it!

I for one am not going to judge people or should I say I am going to try not to. We may get frustrated or agree to disagree or be down-right angry, but see the distractions can pull us toward God or try to push one off course a bit. If we stay focused on Him we can see our current distractions may be just the one thing God is using to make us see the Christ follower He wants us to be.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us.

Please Listen ONE MORE TIME ~ CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS

Peace in Your Stages :)