“If I may be so bold, you underestimate yourself. I see in you just a gem, a beauty, an array of beauty. You ever seen the crown jewels? Yeah. You understand? Man put them together. God put you together.”
This was a word of knowledge spoken over me two years ago by a dear friend of Overland who sadly passed away last year. Vaughn was originally from England and pastored a church in New York and was honestly one of the most intimidating people I’ve ever met. He once yelled at us because we were enjoying some lollipops (lollies, as he called them) after lunch to help keep ourselves awake during the afternoon slump, and the sweetness attracted a swarm of bees into the outdoor classroom. Oops.
Underneath his bark, however, was a teddy bear who often cried at the thought of what God had done for him and really only raised his voice whenever he saw someone not living up to the life God intended. He was also known for referring to females simply with the title of “princess” because that’s what he believed all women to be. Imagine how different the world would be if that was the popular belief.
Deep down inside every woman, whether we admit it or not, is a desire to be a beautiful princess—or to at least be treated like one—and thanks to The Princess Diaries, I think many of us are still secretly waiting for our grandmothers to tell us that we’re actually royal; others are waiting to meet and marry a prince like Kate Middleton. Lately, I’ve found myself embarrassingly jealous of Emma Watson, as it’s always been my dream to play Belle. I mean, it’s totally unfair…I’m the one whose childhood bedroom looked like a Beauty and the Beast museum…was she even alive when that movie came out?!? (Turns out, she’s only a few weeks younger than I am. But I digress.)
What is it about princesses that we find so attractive? Is it the beautiful clothes? Fancy palaces? The handsome prince? The stunning jewels and crowns? All of the above? The latter is certainly true, but there’s ultimately a far greater reason behind the attraction: Divine design. Is there something to be said for blaming Disney for putting unrealistic expectations in little girls’ minds? Perhaps. But ultimately, we desire to be princesses because of our King.
Vaughn didn’t reference the crown jewels in his word to me simply because he’s from England. The Bible is full of references to and metaphors about royalty. After all, Jesus is called King and the universe His Kingdom. And thus, as his sons and daughters, created in His image, what does that make us? If you find in yourself a desire to be a princess, to be royal, you can stop hounding your distant grandmother–you already are.
Essentially, to be royal is to be set apart from the rest of society; after all, none of us knew who Kate Middleton was until she became engaged to a prince. The word coronation literally means to be set apart by crowning. For us, being royal obviously doesn’t mean that we’re literal princes and princesses with actual governmental power over a country, and we weren’t given literal, physical crowns when we were set apart. But the Bible clearly states that we ARE set apart.
And in accordance with this will [of God] we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified [that is, set apart as holy for God and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) once for all. (Hebrews 10:10 AMP)
When I set out to write this, and even when Vaughn gave his word to me, I honestly didn’t know much about the crown jewels, so I did a little research.
The crown jewels are a set of crowns, made with massive and extravagant jewels that are described as some of the most extraordinary diamonds in the world and the largest and most interesting gems. At the time that the crown jewels were made, all the materials–the gems, the metals–were the most expensive you could find. In other words, in their making, no cost was spared. Get it? That’s you. God spared no cost to set you apart and have a relationship with you.
My understanding is that the Queen still wears the crown jewels for highly special occasions, but most of the time, they sit on display for the public to come and marvel at their beauty. And although the jewels were shaped and put together by human hands, they are natural stones, and thus, created by God. In fact, the Old Testament is full of references to these types of precious, natural stones, like rubies and sapphires. But yet, in God’s eyes, we are infinitely more beautiful than these.
Vaughn definitely was a modern-day prophet with a strong prophetic gift and the ability to speak right to a person in that exact moment. However, I think part of the beauty of his words to me is that they apply to so many women. That’s the reason I share them–not because I want to brag about what was said to me–but because they’re for you, too. You are a gem, an array of beauty because God’s beauty shines in you.
You are like the crown jewels.
And you will be the crowning glory of the Eternal’s power, a royal crown cradled in His palm and held aloft by your God for all to see. (Isaiah 62:3 VOICE)
You’re extraordinary.
(Extraordinary = beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established; exceptional in character; noteworthy; remarkable)
You’re a jewel.
(Jewel = cut and polished stone; precious possession, something treasured, esteemed, or indispensable)
You’re a gem.
(Gem = something likened to or prized like a jewel because of it’s beauty or worth, a person held in great esteem or affection)
You’re precious.
(Precious = of high price or great value. In Hebrew = יָקָר, yaqar = costly, excellent, valuable, prized, rare, glorious, splendid)
For her worth is greater than the most expensive prize you could win. Her profit is greater than the finest thing you could buy. No gem is more precious than she is–your most extravagant desire doesn’t come close to her. (Proverbs 3:14-15 VOICE)
You wear a crown.
(Crown is defined as a symbol of sovereignty or victory, like the victory we all have in Christ)
Happy is the person who can hold up under the trials of life. At the right time, he’ll know God’s sweet approval and will be crowned with life. As God has promised, the crown awaits all who love Him. (James 1:12 VOICE)
You’re a princess, the daughter of a King.
I bathed you with pure water and washed away the old blood from your skin, and then I anointed you with fragrant oils. I dressed you in an embroidered gown and put the finest leather sandals on your feet. I gave you the most luxurious linens and exquisite garments. I decorated you with the most expensive jewelry: bracelets for your wrists and a necklace for your neck, a nose ring, costly earrings, and a stunning crown for your head. I adorned you with everything a woman could wish for: gold and silver, the finest clothes of linen, silk, and embroidery. You dined on elegant meals made with fine flour, honey, and olive oil. You became a beautiful woman and carried yourself as a queen! You became famous among the nations for your extraordinary beauty—beauty that flourished only because I lavished My splendor on you. (Ezekiel 6:9-14 VOICE)
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