I'VE OFTEN PONDERED the significance of the Cross and Crown seal printed on the cover of this magazine, and on all the published writings of The Christian Science Publishing Society. It's a vivid symbol of the majestic purpose of Christian Science, and of the role for each one of us in fulfilling that purpose—Christ Jesus' commission to his followers to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons" (The New King James Version, Matt. 10:8).
Recently, though, I saw something more, something that had never occurred to me before. Though the cross is tilted—as if being carried on one's shoulder—the crown is positioned absolutely upright, as if on the head of one standing erect and unencumbered. Suddenly, I saw the crown not only as a symbol of complete and final victory over all obstacles in our path, but as a symbol of a reality that empowers and strengthens us to claim our victory over the cross each step of the way.
So, what is this reality? It's the actual manhood and womanhood of each one of us as God's precious child—our real and eternal identity and individuality as God's own spiritual image and likeness. The cross—which is the world's stubborn resistance to the present healing and saving power of the Christ—cannot weigh down or weaken this spiritual individuality. This crown, which is our spiritual selfhood, is forever upright and victorious.
