Learning From the Queen's Firm Faith

The Queen’s Firm Faith

The news of the death of Queen Elizabeth went around the world a few days ago.  She had looked frail but doing okay just a couple of days before when she invited Liz Truss to be the new British Prime Minister.  Then suddenly she was under medical supervision and her family was rushing to be by her side and then just hours later she was gone.

News networks ceased regular programming and paused to focus on the life and legacy of the Queen and tributes have poured in from around the world.

What brings joy to my heart as I watch some of the coverage and reflect on the life of the Queen is that she so clearly wasn’t just the head of the Anglican Church in a ceremonial role but she was clearly a follower of Jesus Christ.  Several of her recent Christmas messages gave clear witness to how Jesus Christ was her anchor point.

2016 - Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life, and never travelled far. He was maligned and rejected by many, though he had done no wrong. And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.

2019 - Through his teaching and by his example, Jesus Christ would show the world how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding. Many of us already try to follow in his footsteps.

Queen Elizabeth surely was following in the footsteps of John the Baptist, that great one who pointed others to Jesus Christ.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,  to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:76-79

Loving God, may we each personally find our place before You so that great forgiveness can come to us, the lovely light of tender mercy shine on us, and our hearts and lives be filled with the knowledge of salvation.  We pray today to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, to find in Him our guiding light, to be helped to see the value of doing small things with great love.  Amen

What gives me joy today is that this wonderful Queen who is being honoured by so many around the world is herself today bowing in honour, as she did in her life here, before Jesus Christ, the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

Let’s us each do the same.