It's been a while since I posted anything personal here. I thought I would say something about the Monarchy. Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926. Her birthday celebration here in New Zealand on an apparently unrelated date has given us a long weekend. Now amongst my many friends there are bound to be some raving republicans. I B sure that some of my work colleagues are thinking that the weekend is not long enough, although the boys at school get 5 days! I think that when this weekend break comes all of us are staunchly royalist in a most selfless manner.
My contention is that in a rapidly changing and chaotic world Queen Elizabeth II has been a rather nice and constant pillar of strength. She was born eight months after my mum. So their lives were lived in virtual parallel. She simply was. And she is, despite the amazing misfortunes that have beset her sometimes wayward family. She has exhibited a stoicism and resilience in the face of decades of very challenging human history. She has seen so many Prime Ministers come and go. And her nation has changed in its fabric and imperial influence through these busy years.
My mum died on the same day as Princess Diana, and on what would have been my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. My emotional ties with the royal family are peculiar on account of this. A young and deeply painful life ended, and people mourned in a way that Britain will no doubt not see again. But Elizabeth remains on the throne. And should she be as strong as her mother, we may find that she will outlive some of us. How steadfast that institution.
Is there some hidden message here? I could speak of the unchanging love of God as an ultimate bulwark and protection from the ravages of change. Greater than the notion of resilience of a human throne is the faithfulness of a heavenly lover, a God portrayed as immutable and steadfast, One who never lets us go.
In the words of the Psalmist - "Your love reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the clouds."
I could also speak of the One whose love for us paid a price for our adoption into the family of the Faithful One. The writer to the Hebrews puts it thus:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God."
It is to the one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of God that we turn for our ultimate assurance and sense of continuity - Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever.
Be loved, beloved, and filled with His life forever.
