I was never someone who followed the Royal family. At last not as intensely as some people do. I never understood it or saw any point in it. That all changed when I went to England in March of 2002.
You see, I am an absolute sucker for history, even as a young girl, so standing in front of buildings that are centuries old...blew my mind! Especially when I visited the city of Bath in the Somerset county and seeing the Roman baths from 60 AD. Incredible! (That was my favorite part of the trip!)
When I saw the magnitude and beauty of Buckingham Palace, it took my breath away. When I got home, I started to read about the history of the Monarchy, I found myself having a real interest in it after having stood in some places that were of great significance to the Royal family. Before long, I was hooked on learning as much as I could. The good, the bad, the ugly and the really ugly!
So, I will admit, this past week has been difficult. I have shed tears over the past 10 days. I felt a deep sense of sadness when I read that Queen Elizabeth II passed away. It's the end of an incredible 70 year reign. She's someone who has been on my bucket list of people I'd love to sit down and talk with. Oh, the questions I'd ask. Can you imagine the things that woman has seen in her 96 years!?
My favorite part about her though is not her 70 year reign or her extensive jewel collection, or the hundred year old priceless paintings that hung on her walls or the fact that she was so beloved on this earth that over 400,000 people passed by her coffin to say goodbye. No, my favorite part about who Queen Elizabeth II was is a much less celebrated part of her life and one that I think if you had asked her, she would have said is the most important - her profound faith in God.
You can look back on her speeches and in almost every one, she proclaimed her faith in Christ as Lord. Her faith defined her. How rare is it that someone so famous or beloved would do that? It hardly ever happens. Yet, she did this year after year, publicly proclaiming God.
I don't write this to boast about her. She did what she was supposed to do as Christian; tell others about God. I don't pretend to know her heart but I can only hope that it was a heart of repentance and true love for Jesus Christ as she spoke about for 70 years on the throne. It gives me great joy to think that because it means that she will be in Heaven with Him!
...and I may yet get to have that bucket list conversation with her when I get there! Haha...
(Source)
So while I say rest in peace my dear Queen Elizabeth, your work on earth is now finished, I also want to remember something very important; that even someone as beloved and admired as her Majesty the Queen still has a time limit on it all. Her reign is over. She can't take the jewels with her. The art work remains behind. It's over for her.
Here's the good news:
Jesus Christ is the one true King who will live forever. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord's and His Kingdom and His reign shall never die. He will never leave the throne and will never be replaced!
Oh how great it will be when we can all join Him in His Kingdom forever and ever!
Amen!