Today, 60 years from the day that Princess Elizabeth became Queen, there are many references and programmes, and much literature to help us review these 60 years. The Queen herself has said that today she will dedicate herself anew to serving all the peoples of her kingdom and Commonwealth.
While we look forward to celebrating the Diamond Jubilee with many others in June, it is worth recalling that we are celebrating her wonderful dedication, which has been lived out daily for all thee years. The Queen's sense of duty and privilege at having the responsibility to live for the sake of others has been crafted from plenty of hard work and an astonishing sense of God's call on her life.
St. Paul wrote to his Roman friends about how they should live out their lives in dedication to God's mercy in sending Jesus. 'And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.' (Romans 12.1)
If our dedication requires us to give our bodies to God, what might that involve? Paul goes on to describe the process we all need to follow, if we are to be worthy followers. 'Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12.2)
God's part is to be merciful, and ours is to respond in dedicating ourselves anew - daily! Our part is to resist the behaviour an customs of this present world, and God's part is to transform our thinking, so that we can live lives which please Him.
So today is a chance to have our thinking reshaped by the God who sent us Jesus. Let us be dedicated to this calling today!
Best wishes,
Richard
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