WILL THERE BE ANY STARS ON MY CROWN?

"Then when Christ the Ruling Shepherd comes, you will get a crown—one that will be glorious and never lose its beauty"- 1 Peter 5:4 (ERV)

Some years ago, I was on my way home after a hectic day at work when a cute Peugeot saloon car caught my attention on the third mainland bridge, Lagos. The car was decorated with a two star gold plated tag which connotes that it belongs to a serving Major General in the Nigerian Army. As I stared at the car, I  remembered my childhood dream of  growing up to become a senior military officer like the man in the cute car. While I was still thinking about my childhood dream and the stars I had missed, the Holy Spirit flashed the above bible passage into my mind and these probing questions hit me so hard: Son, will you receive a crown when you get home? Will there be star(s) on your crown? Will your crown be empty or decorated with many shining stars? These are probing questions every child of God must be ready to answer.

"Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever" Daniel 12:3 (MSG)

Beloved, all of us may not have the privilege of becoming senior military officers with earthly stars but if we serve God faithfully here on earth, He will give us the opportunity to wear the crown of rejoicing with multiple Stars in that glorious city. The greatest work we can do for God is to bring others to Jesus Christ - our Saviour. There is no greater joy than leading someone to the feet of the cross. Soul winning enables us to gather uncountable stars on earth. The crowns with shiny stars are reserved for only believers who are addicted soul winners. Those who laboured earnestly day and night to pray for sinners and witness to them will be handsomely honoured and rewarded when they get to the city of Gold.

The first stanza and refrain of a special hymn titled "Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown? reiterates the questions that the Lord asked me on that day. This wonderful Christian hymn was composed by Eliza E. Hewitt ( a Sunday school teacher) in 1897.  This song writer understood that every soul won for Heaven,  puts a jewel or star on our crown. Friends, I perceive God is asking you and I the same  questions this week:- My son/daughter, will you get a crown when you get home? Will there be any star(s) on your crown?. Please be sincere with yourself and make amends before your sojourn on earth is over.

WILL THERE BE ANY STARS IN MY CROWN?

I am thinking today of that beautiful land
I shall reach when the sun goeth down;
When through wonderful grace by my Savior I stand,
Will there be any stars in my crown?

Refrain:
         Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown,
         When at evening the sun goeth down?
         When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest,
         Will there be any stars in my crown?

In the strength of the Lord let me labor and pray,
Let me watch as a winner of souls;
That bright stars may be mine in the glorious day,
When His praise like the sea-billow rolls.

Oh, what joy it will be when His face I behold,
Living gems at His feet to lay down;
It would sweeten my bliss in the city of gold,
Should there be any stars in my crown."

My prayer for you and my humble self is that when the Saviour will be decorating all His faithful disciples with their shiny crowns, we shall not be left out. God will give us more grace to be addicted soul hunters for Jesus Christ. May we will not miss that beautiful land above. And whenever our sojourn on earth is over, we shall have many living gems to lay at His feet in Heaven.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
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