One of my strongest memories from US Presidential elections was the statement of George H.W. Bush (the old one, not the young one), who used the phrase ‘that vision thing.’ I am not sure, but I think he was lamenting his lack of ‘that vision thing’ at the time—but, whatever the context, the phrase stuck in my mind as important.
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That Vision Thing …
What do you want to become? (Ephesians 5:5–7)
What do you want to become? When you close your eyes and picture yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, what will you have become? What do you hope for, pray for, and plan for?
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Loving Jesus exposes our hearts
No matter how many times I read Luke’s Gospel, it always impacts me. This is because we meet Jesus as he meets with different people. Although it is a little hard to choose, I think my favourite encounter is Jesus’ interaction with the woman who was a sinner from Luke 7:36-50. There is so much to unpack in this story, but let me share with you just three things that struck me.
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The funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Synod held one minute’s silence and has prayed for the Royal Family as churches across Sydney prepare for Sunday services in the leadup to the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Monday night (Sydney time).
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From the vault: The Bible in the hands of the sovereign
At the Coronation of the Boy-King, Edward VI, in 1547, three swords were placed in his hands, one each to represent his right to the realms of England, Ireland, and France. But to the great surprise of the prelates and statesmen in the Abbey, Edward declared that there was another sword which had been overlooked; and in answer to their astonished inquiries, he said that this was the Word of God. He then “commanded the Bible with the greatest reverence to be brought and carried before him”. And this impromptu incident at the Coronation of Edward VI in 1547 was to become enshrined as a permanent element in the Service for the crowning of an English Sovereign from the time when William and Mary of Orange came to the Throne after the Revolution of 1688.
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Moore College gives thanks for the Queen
Moore College joins today with men and women around the world in thanking God for the life, service and Christian witness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We mourn the loss of our Queen but we rejoice in the home-call of our sister in Christ.
The broadcast of a speech made by Princess Elizabeth on her twenty-first birthday, dedicating her life — whether long or short — to the service of her people, is being replayed by news services all around the world. It has a special poignancy on this day. This is a promise she has kept fulsomely and joyfully. Australians of all political persuasions agree that she has been tireless in service, committed to the welfare of her people, and an example of dignity, strength and grace, both in moments of joy and triumph and in those more difficult and even tragic. Those who have had the privilege to meet her have invariably spoken of her personal warmth, her genuine interest in each person with whom she speaks, and her sense of humour. The most regal woman in the world never took herself too seriously.
But we have a special reason to give thanks for her as the news of her death spreads around the world. Queen Elizabeth trusted the Lord Jesus. Her Christmas speeches attest her confidence and hope, which rested in him alone. They just seemed to get clearer and bolder in the last few years while always remaining perfectly appropriate and never feeling “forced”. They were a natural expression of the core commitment of her life. Her 2011 speech was a wonderful example of that. She said,
Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves — from our recklessness or greed. God sent into the world a unique person — neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.
Queen Elizabeth sought to live out her life of service, despite the extraordinary circumstances of her position, as a humble disciple of Jesus. For that example and for her many encouragements to do the same, we can give great thanks to God.
At this time of mourning and thanksgiving, we commit ourselves to pray for the King and his family in their personal grief. As one former politician tweeted this morning, we are confident that God saved the Queen, we now pray God save the King.
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