Wisdom and discretion

In appreciation of our late Queen, Elizabeth II.

In honour of the longest reigning British monarch in history, I would add my appreciation to the countless millions of tributes. She had so much wisdom and dignity. She gained it through long experience. 15 prime ministers who may have had an Oxfordian education needed her wisdom week after week. I never met her personally. Every Christmas speech however, was part of my childhood memories as the tradition we honoured in listening to our Queen. Following her journeys on the news to countries far and wide, and counties local and beyond my area, was always watched with respect. It may be a 1000+ year old heritage our nation has but we can learn from this Queen. We may call the past 70 years the second Elizabethan Age and yet the comparison to the first Elizabeth shows our Queen as far more gracious; I think that was due to her wisdom often gained through her faith in Christ.

Accruing knowledge in academia is not enough. We need to know how to apply it. Many a student essay contains information. It is able to score more highly when distilled, when argued, when applied, when shared in practical situations. Theology degrees are often most valuable when the students actually use their information in real life. They need to apply it wisely, with discretion, with faith in God's own word and use it with grace while showing justice and fairness throughout the judgments made. The Queen therefore must really have gained many degrees in political discretion! She learned no doubt from her father, her mother, her senior advisers and older Prime Ministers while sharing much of this with later Prime Ministers and no doubt her family too.

We need to pray for that wisdom for her successor, King Charles III and his heir, Prince William of Wales.

There is an incredible heritage they have gained.

In academia we gather much knowledge but it is in how we use it that wisdom is seen. May all theological knowledge be used to further the Reign of the King of Kings. May our present monarch realise and put into higher trust, that his reign is under the reign of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.