Queen Elizabeth II: A Role Model For Humanity

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, an example of a life lived with integrity and faith in God will live on for decades. She was more than a truly great monarch and leader. Some have said there will no longer be a monarch like her. She became a queen at the young age of 25. She served during the terms of 15 United Kingdom Prime Ministers, from Winston Churchchill in 1952 to Boris Johnson in 2020.

Although in a family of royalty, Queen Elizabeth considered herself as one of the common people. She spent her summer months at Balmoral Castle, located in Aberdeemshire, Scotland, close to the Village of Ballater. The Balmoral Estate includes dozens of homes. One villager posted on a website that the queen would, on occasion, show up unannounced at a home and ask, “How are you?” According to one historian she “enjoyed being normal.” The Balmoral Castle is where she died.

In the minds of many, however, the queen will be remembered for her Christian faith. Franklin Graham said in reference to his father, Billy, “He cherished her friendship that was built on a shared love of Jesus Christ and belief in God’s Word.”

Every year, Queen Elizabeth gave a Christmas message. In one of her messages she thanked God for his faithfulness. She recognized the need for a Savior. In a 2011 Christmas greeting she spoke these words: “Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Savior with the power to forgive…”

In a 2000 Christmas speech the queen expressed her “own personal accountability before God” that has provided a basis for living her life and leading as a monarch. Although she was the head of state of many countries besides the United Kingdom, she recognized that “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne”(Psalm 47:8).

The world has lost a great leader, but Queen Elizabeth was also a follower and servant of God. May she be remembered as a role model for humanity for her trust in God, and accountability to him, as the basis for how she lived and ruled.