She ascended to the throne at her quarter century mark. She spent the next seventy years serving her country. Oh. She’s a face that everyone recognizes. Her bright dresses made her stand out. As she wanted. She wanted to be easily spotted in a crowd. She was a private soul who was thrust into a position she never asked for, but she took it on with pride and dignity. She would have been happy living a quiet, simple life with her family. But no. It wasn’t to be. So she vowed to perform her duty whether her life be long or short. And indeed, it was a long life. Everyone knew who she was. Ninety-five percent of everyone living on this earth know of no other queen of England but her. She’s outlived most leaders. She’s met more world leaders than anyone else. She’s raised corgis and horses. She liked to drive fast. From the outside looking in, she lived a charmed life. Oh. If only walls could talk.
She often spoke publicly about her faith in God. She had a deep abiding and unwavering faith that may have surprised some. Even when tragedy and trials came to her family, her faith stood strong. I wonder if at times that was the only thing she could count on. After all, she was the queen. She couldn’t share her troubles with just anyone. She may have lived a godly life, but she wasn’t God. She may have been of the royal bloodline, but she wasn’t God. She needed God just the same as every one of us.
Her life had not originally been mapped toward becoming queen. Her father was the second born, and only the first born was in the line of the throne. But the first born abdicated, so her father unexpectedly became king. So her life’s trajectory was changed at an early age. And when her father was crowned the new king of England, her path was set. She was to one day be queen. And not just for a day. While on a trip, she learned that her father had suddenly passed away. And now she was the queen. How sobering. And how unnerving. Oh. She knew the day would come, but she never expected it to happen at age twenty five while she was raising a young family. But duty called and she answered the challenge wholeheartedly.
As she spoke to her country, she vowed a lifetime of service to them. And that is what she gave. Humbly. Quietly. Politely. A servant to her people. She was dearly loved and will be dearly missed by those who knew her and those who wanted to know her.
I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
Queen Elizabeth II
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
As followers of Christ, wouldn’t it be a reasonable thing to make a vow to serve God our whole lives? Wouldn’t it be great if all who claim to be Christians devote themselves wholeheartedly to the service of their holy God for as long as they lived? What if we who say we’re committed to following Christ actually keep that commitment for our entire lifetime? Whether it be short or long. It’s a daily commitment. One step at a time. One decision at a time to continue down the path of faithful, holy living. Because, after all, we are in the great imperial family of God. We are his servants. We are to humbly bow before him and his will. Each and every day. With each act we take, honoring God is our goal when we say we’re committed to following him.
Making no claims of royalty, we who are children of God must live as children of God. With holy purpose and intentions. Serving faithfully even when life is tough. Even when tragedy befalls us. God’s mercies are ever sustaining even when life seems cruel. When the rug is pulled from under us, God’s word still stands. He never changes. So why should our devotion and commitment change when life hands us lemons?
Oh. We may not have the royal crown on our heads just yet. But we can live as if we do. We can move in this world as heirs to the throne of grace. Because we are. We’ve been given the gift of eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord. Let’s live with holy purpose.
And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:17
Mercy for the Day 