Crowning Wisdom: Baden

Die Badische Krone or Crown of Baden was made for the first Grand Duke of that territory back in 1808. Boasting rather extravagant arches and never actually worn, it strikes me as somewhat typical of Continental regalia. Whether it was because a duke, even a Grand one, still falls shy of a king, the crown is not made of gold metal. Unlike its Dutch and Spanish counterparts, it is not even made of gold-plated silver. Rather, it is made of cheap materials including steel and papier-mâché. The yellow circlet and aches are actually gold fabric, and its jewels are detachable brooches. This is a crown made hurriedly and on the cheap, though I daresay that it is considerably more comfortable than the more traditional and heavier metal crowns. I have not been able to identify its mass or weight, but the adage “Heavy is the head that wears the crown” perhaps applies a little less to Baden’s Grand Dukes.

The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

I suspect that this ‘bearing’ applies to troubles, pains, hardships and church difficulties rather than just temptations. Nevertheless, those of us with responsibilities in workplaces, families, churches and other organisations will find that with ‘power’ comes accountability and problems. However heavy your hat, wear it well, and bear it with God’s strength. What we do for Him below becomes an airy and graceful headdress in the world to come.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12, NKJV