Women of God
In a changing world, Christian women
hold on to an unchanging hand: God's hand.
An Earthly Crown or a Heavenly Crown!
                              by Jennifer H. Edwards

As I moved from the country life to the city life, I felt like I had a culture shock. Working outside the home
can be challenging as you deal with a diverse group with various personalities. When I walk on campus, I
have to keep in mind; “What is our purpose here on earth?” “What kind of crown am I working on as an
individual?” “Would I rather please man or God? I remind myself of what Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6:
5 “not men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

When I wake up every morning, I thank God I have a job to go to; not knowing what I’ll experience that day.
On the other hand, I realize that God places obstacles in our path and places us in situations to try our
faith. He does so to see if we’re fully committed or are we doubting of him “like a wave of the sea driven
and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). Christ would rather us be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58).

Christ left us an example to live by here on earth, and I realize the things we go through here on earth don’
t meet the standards of what Christ went through for us. Focusing my mind on that “we’re the light of the
world, a city set on a hill; I should not hide my light under a basket but place it on a lamp stand,” and be
the example Christ would want me to be as I work outside the home and deal with the public (Mt. 5:14-15).
Although, it was already in God’s divine plan, it took me to go to a new job to realize how work
environments can be different when you move from place to place. In the process, I came to the conclusion
that I’m not in education to make friends, but to teach the children. In contrast, Christ left us here on earth
to “spread the gospel to every creature;” not to try to fit in or to make friends with everyone.
We shouldn’t “be conformed to this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we
may prove what is good and acceptable to the perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2).

If you would let me, I would like to use an analogy of a “beauty pageant” to the “journey of life” that we walk
through here on earth. The runway is the pathway of life and the journey we take. Our beautiful modest
apparel that we are modeling is the armor that protects us from the darts aimed at us on our journey.
There’s also only one judge in this pageant not three or four. The difference in this pageant is we’re not
trying to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbons, not even a crown trimmed in diamonds and pearls; but the
“crown of life” mentioned in Revelation 2: 10. Oh, what a prize! The most glorious prize of all! “What kind of
prize are you working toward, An Earthly Crown or A Heavenly Crown?”

In conclusion, as I practice for the pageant, I find myself wanting more and more to be around spiritual
people and spiritual activities. My favorite hobby is family outings. Every chance I’m off work, I want to do
something with my family. I was just out of school, and I asked my husband to take us to an aquarium. At
the same time, there was a Ladies’ Day. I chose the Ladies’ Day because I know this is what is going to
help me work on my crown of life and keep me grounded in the faith, and teach me how to be a better
mother and wife when we do take those family outings. Practice to me used to make things perfect, but
spiritually “Practice makes things permanent.”

“A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey, but a woman of strength has faith that
it is in the journey that she will be strong.” (Miller, L. D.) Stay strong in the faith, my sisters, and keep an
optimistic attitude on this temporary journey here on earth so that we can receive the Heavenly Crown!
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