A Crown That Lasts

I’ve always been interested in biographies of famous people, all the way from Mozart, Monet, and George Washington to Edison, Fulton, and Helen Keller. But sometimes even more interesting than stories about famous people are those about more obscure personalities like one cited in Demi Tebow’s book A Crown That Lasts.

Demi Tebow tells how her identity was suddenly gone the night she crowned the new Miss Universe. She learned, though, through many God-lessons that one’s identity need not depend on one’s achievements or whether or not one is married to a football star like Tim Tebow. One’s identity needs to be grounded in one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Only the crown He bestows will last.

Demi describes humiliating scenes she endured in her native country South Africa, both before and after her reigns as Miss South Africa and Miss Universe. She faced a fearful assault, and struggled through failures and disappointments. Her life in the U.S. was a lonely one to begin with as she felt so out of place and bereft of friends. But God was her anchor and she wouldn’t give up. She grew to realize that God’s purpose for her life might not be what she envisioned–but even better.

The true story of the artist Lilias Trotter made a powerful impression on her as she made decisions.

Basically, here is the story.

Lilias Trotter was an accomplished young artist during the time when artists like Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh were adding new dimensions to the world of art. Though you’ve probably never heard of her, she was told by renowned art critic John Ruskin that she could become more famous than Monet if she worked hard at it and focused only on her art. Lilias did apply herself and was immersed in her art but not to the degree that she could forget her other love. She had a great compassion for abused women and girls.

When it came to the point that Lilias must choose between art and her ministry she prayed hard and then knew she must choose the ministry. Using her own funds she traveled to Algeria to become a fulltime missionary. She never became rich or famous but she was happy and blessed. She even discovered she could use her gift of painting in her ministry. God works that way! And, just as Lilias found her true God-given identity, so has Demi Tebow.

To quote a blurb on her book jacket, Demi “strives to bring compassion to hurting people all over the world and be a voice for the voiceless victims of human trafficking.” She uses her forum as past Miss Universe to speak in many countries, about thirty now, I think. She has started an organization called Unbreakable which aims to educate and uplift the broken hearted of human trafficking, and she also assists her husband in work for Tim Tebow Foundation.

You will want to read Demi’s book, The Crown That Lasts, especially if you’re a girl between the ages of twelve and one hundred. Some portions are interactive, very good for someone who has experienced any kind of trauma. But anyone would enjoy reading Demi’s stories. Some of the headings include “Untangle Your Identity From Your Label,” “You Are Your Own CEO,” “Longing for Belonging,” and “Presence over Perfection.” You will love Demi’s style of writing as if she were talking to you in your cozy place.

You can find A Crown That Lasts at any bookstore. I purchased a copy from Rayann’s in Thomasville, Georgia.