Call to the Nation

Did you see the rainbows of hope?
Can you hear the call of God?
Do you feel God’s patience, his long suffering, his mercy and love for us.

How fitting that the Queen, such a faithful servant, should be given grace to finish her work of appointing our new Prime Minister before she died.

How fitting that she should die at Balmoral in her beloved Scotland.

How fitting that rain should pour down as our tears flowed in sorrow and mourning.

How wonderful to see rainbows!
Over Windsor!
A double over Buckingham Palace!

Cousin Ruth

Last weekend we were in Devon where Julyan conducted the funeral of his cousin Ruth. Originally she was given just a few months to live, but she had three more years in which time she recorded 2 CDs of her ‘Songs in the Night’ – melodies and Scriptures she believed God gave to sustain her.

She had time to plan her own funeral and chose the hymns and readings, making sure Julyan and his brother would lead the committal and thanksgiving service. The tributes all referred to Ruth’s faith, and as we listened reverently to one of her worship tracks we heard the voice of Jesus calling family and friends to come close, to follow him in a deeper walk with God – to choose life!

Call of God

Our history is steeped in God references – the proclamations, the pageantry, the vows. So many of those being interviewed concerning our Queen are stressing the importance of her faith. She, herself, was often vocal about the strength found in her relationship with her Saviour and Lord.

God is surely with us. The many details of events are showing us his grace and mercy.

In the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s death, he is calling us to reflect on our history and look to him for the future. May the millions who will watch the Queen’s funeral hear the voice of Jesus saying, ‘Come to me!’ as we did as we listened to Cousin Ruth’s ‘song in the night’.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).