It is with sadness that, after a life long-lived and lived well in service of the country and her faith, we reflect on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. As supreme governor of the Church of England, her faith stood as her anchor and rock that she built the foundation of life on.
Robert Lacey, the Queen’s biographer commented that the only book written that she approved and wrote a forward for was entitled, ‘The Servant Queen, and the King she Serves’. Let us reflect on this tribute, as we consider the legacy her reign and example can have on each of us, no matter where we currently stand in our faith.
“The Queen is a woman who has looked in 2 directions for almost her entire life: Upwards to God and outwards towards her people she was to serve.”
A passage that Her Majesty loved in particular, according to the memoirs of evangelist Billy Graham, is found in John 5:1-15. In it, Jesus heals a man who was left without hope or help. Where others had family and friends to support them, this man was alone.
“One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
Contrast this feeling to the footage of the Queen, sat in Westminster Abbey, alone. The world looked at that moment and saw an isolated figure. But we know that Her Majesty’s faith meant that she was always close to her God and Saviour.
As we reflect at this time, let us not forget the purpose that Queen Elizabeth fulfilled. She was and will always be, the Servant of the King.
