It’s amazing what you learn about people after their death. Watching snippets of the ceremonies honoring Queen Elizabeth II of England I see that she is a devout Christian.

 I not only know this through the Scripture I hear read during the service, but recorded comments made by the queen about her faith and from statements made by people who knew her.

During one event I hear the reminder that Jesus has prepared a place for Queen Elizabeth.

John 14:1-5 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” ESV

Since we were told she scripted the entire event before her death there is no doubt, she lived with the assurance she would one day see her Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association assembled several quotes from the queen regarding her faith. One written in 2022 in the “Letter to the Lambeth Conference” reads: “Throughout my life, the message and teachings of Christ have been my guide and in them I find hope.”

Finally, I want to mention a statement made by Stephen Harper, the 22^nd Canadian Prime Minister, in a television interview. “Her life was about service, about others, it was never about herself.”

Knowing the Queen of England lived in a house filled with servants, it is difficult to envision a member of the monarch as a servant, yet this is the role in which she saw herself.

I am reminded of the counsel Paul gave the church at Philippi:

Phil 2:5-9

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” ESV

One Bible version says “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” Phil 2:5 NIV

The definition of attitude is “a mental position with regard to a fact or state.” [merriam-webster.com]

Just as Jesus took the form of a servant, although God, Queen Elizabeth II took the form of a servant, although royalty. What does this look like? Making your life about others rather than all about yourself. Since each of us are in a different position we each must learn this servant mindset from the perspective of the life God has given us. It’s an “I will” attitude rather than an “I won’t” attitude.

I read that Queen Elizabeth II at age 90 carried out 306 royal engagements within her country and 35 overseas. Although I am not sure what type of preparation this entailed, I do know from comments made by people who met her she seemed to know something about them that made the conversation personal rather than a formality.  

The funeral for the queen was not something I planned to watch for it was lengthy and I too had commitments. But it did cause me to exercise 15 minutes longer on the treadmill listening to the commentators and watching the people involved. A glimpse of a little boy in the crowd hugging a Paddington Bear touched my heart and I felt great compassion for the six young men who carried the coffin up the steep steps into St. George Chapel at Windsor Castle, knowing the pain of stressed muscles.

I am grateful to have caught the comment about her viewing the role of queen as a place of service. It was a fresh reminder to make my life about serving others, not about myself.

Let’s Talk:

1-If you watched any portions of the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II what struck you? Was there anything about her life that was impressive to you?

2-In your current position, how might you serve others?

©2022 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved