by Dr. Jeff Mathis
While marveling at our British friends' enthusiasm to pay tribute to their Queen this past week, I came across a social media post that has given me hope.
For several days after Queen Elizabeth II's death, much of England lined up to offer their respects to the woman who had served as their monarch for seven decades. The Queen's coffin had been placed in Westminster Hall in London, and hundreds of thousands waited in line for hours to pay their respect.
At times, the line, or queue, to pass by the Queen's coffin stretched for over four miles. The wait in line grew to be 14 hours or more. For those wishing to offer their respects to the Royal Family, this wait in line represented quite the investment of time and energy. Disney World, notwithstanding, is there anything you'd wait in line for that long?
Yes, there were stories about politicians who broke in line to see the Queen's coffin without joining the queue. Likewise, there was a rush to applaud the celebrities who chose to join the long line and wait like everyone else. More than anything, the British demonstrated a deep sense of pride in joining with their countrymen and women in solidarity to do something hard (shuffle, stand, lean, slump) out of respect for someone they loved and admired.
Luke Miller, the Archdeacon of London, posted this account of his time queuing with strangers:
“The #QueueForTheQueen is a microcosm of life. This was the random group with whom we shared an impromptu community, formed in the moment, whose benefit will be fruits unlooked for. They encourage in the hard waiting, share the jolly moments & are round you at the end.”
When I saw Rev. Miller's post, I couldn't help but think of the Church. Just as impromptu communities formed while mourners were in line for the Queen, we, too, become connected to strangers who will become brothers and sisters in Christ. Like the line that snaked through London, our lives have twists and turns and will frequently feel like a slog. If we will look up and look around, though, we'll find that God has given us the gift of companionship with others when we choose to share the path.
True, some of those we walk beside are mavericks who break in line or leave for long stretches. But the best experiences, in line and in life, occur when we're able to see the ones in line beside us as gifts for our journey and as fellow pilgrims along the way.
There is indeed a sense of mystery and suspense that accompanies our shuffling along. The journey, however, becomes richer because we are surrounded by others. You never know who you'll meet when we queue through life.
Again, Rev. Miller's reflection rings true:
"(These random pilgrims) encourage in the hard waiting, share the jolly moments, and are around you at the end."
We know this to be true because we know what it's like to be Church.