Pastoral Perspective: Queen Elizabeth II used her talents well

The pastel colors routinely worn by Queen Elizabeth II made her the focal point in family photos and in pictures with world leaders.

But the queen stood out in ways far more important than her attire. She puts me in mind of the parable of the talents, found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It’s a teaching from Jesus about making the most of the opportunities God gives us to serve his Kingdom purposes.

In the story, one servant had five talents, one servant had two, and one person had one talent. A “talent” was equal to more than 16 years’ worth of wages. All three people had ample opportunities to shine for God.

Queen Elizabeth II was what many of us think we would like to be — a five-talent person. But with her five talents came expectations, pressure and life under a microscope. The queen made the most of her five-talent life.

The queen referred to Jesus and His teachings as “the bedrock of my faith.” It showed.

She was humble. When she came to power unexpectedly, 70 years ago, she knew that she had a lot to learn. She sought the mentoring she needed.

The queen did something that every Christian is called to do. She was able to live in the world without becoming like the world. She was the first British monarch to have television cameras come into the lives of the royal family; but watching her was never like viewing reality television. She didn’t use bad language. She never engaged in public arguments. When members of her family and extended family made choices that she wouldn’t have made, she exhibited dignified reserve, and held fast to her own high standards of Christian conduct.

She was a wisdom woman. She understood politics but did not engage in partisanship.

Carl Trueman, professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College, put it this way. “Maybe that is why monarchy might not be such a bad thing after all. Democratically-elected leaders often achieve their positions thanks to ruthless ambition, dirty tricks, and an overwhelming sense of their own vital importance. The queen was never burdened with such temptations, and it showed.”

The queen got along with folks from a wide swathe of the American political spectrum, and with leaders from around the globe. In an era when support for monarchies is waning, she was loved and admired in her own country and around the world.

Her reign spanned a time when Great Britain’s influence on the world stage became less important. Yet, she was able to navigate that journey with grace, helping the Brits to remain relevant and proud.

She finished her life well. This, too, is something to which all Christians are called to aspire. Some of the pillars of our faith, including King David, found it difficult, late in life, to live up to the promise they had shown early on. But the queen’s faithfulness was evident to the end.

During one of the peaks of the pandemic, she gave a speech that brought comfort and calm to her country. And then, just two days before she died, she welcomed the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss. The queen was a five-talent person who used her talents well.

One of my church members told me that, years ago, she heard a teaching on the parable of the talents which included this point: Five plus five equals in 11. How can that be?

At the end of the parable, the five-talent person, who used his opportunities well, was given five more talents as a reward. And then, the one-talent servant, who squandered his opportunities, lost the talent he had. And that talent was also given to the servant who began the story with five talents. Five plus five equals 11.

If that’s how it works, it appears to me that Queen Elizabeth II won’t be bored in heaven. She will be busy, joyfully serving the Lord Jesus.

The good news is this. You and I will not be compared with Queen Elizabeth II, or with anyone else. The Scripture does not ask for equal results, because we don’t begin life with equal opportunities. What’s expected of God’s people is that we exhibit a willingness to sacrifice and serve, in proportion to the opportunities we have been given.

The queen’s example helps us to do this. She was humble. She was untainted by the world. She was wise as God defines wisdom. She was resilient in the face of difficulty — in her family and in her country. And she finished her life well.

The faithful witness of Queen Elizabeth II can help us make the most of our opportunities.

Rev. Rev. Paul Arnold pastors at First United Methodist Church, Pontiac

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Rev. Paul Arnold Pastoral Perspective Queen Elizabeth