Great Britain’s, Great Impact
Finally, at last, it is truly an end of an Era. Queen Elisabeth, one of the longest-serving monarchs, was finally laid at rest in full military state honors. It was one of the greatest pomp, with millions watching the ceremony, thousands of them lined up the roads of the UK, and hundreds of prominent dignitaries from around the world. Guests included The President of the strongest and largest Economy in the world, the USA, the President of the Largest Democracy in the World, India, the Emperor of the most technologically advanced country in the World, Japan, and many more, all Present to pay homage.
Such is the Impact of Great Britain in this world that it is not just the great & rich people who knew the Queen, but even ordinary laypeople from most parts of the world know who the Queen was. A few days back, I wanted to inform my Mother about the news of the Queen’s death. I just told my mom with the words, “Mummy, The Queen Died,” immediately, my Mother exclaimed in Her Mother tongue, “oh, Elisabeth Rani died, so sad to know.” My Mother knows nothing about Britain, neither she knows where the UK is on the world maps; however, when I said the Queen died, she was immediately able to relate/recognize and realize it was the Queen of England. Like my Mother, many, I believe, knew the Queen as the one, and only in the world, a peculiarity and Royalty like no other.
When I first heard the news of the Queen’s death, it was a shock and surprise. Just two days back, I had seen the picture of the Queen shaking hands with the newly appointed Prime Minister of the UK. Somewhere in my Heart, I grieved Her loss too. For a few days, I have been continually following the news and details about the Queen’s final journey. The bands were playing, The Hymns, the Psalms read, the most beautiful architectured Church, and whatnot. My eyes were wet when I witnessed the entire military ceremony of the Queen’s coffin transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall for Her lying-in-state, where the public in thousands gathered to pay their final homage. The entire episode, right after the Queen died to her laying-in-rest ceremony and Her Burial today, has been meticulously planned and executed. Trust me; this is once in a lifetime event to watch. The grandeur, the elegance, and the Royalty all come together so overwhelmingly that I am sure this is a spectacle that can be found nowhere else in the world.
Great Britain’s, Great Contributions
Few people recognize the value or understand the role that Great Britain has played in world history. The fact is, much of the modern world or society that we live in today is shaped and made possible because of the past contributions this small island nation has made. After the death of the Queen, I saw some people take social media to criticize the monarchs and the past colonial system of the UK, even many learned people. I say these critics are void of understanding or making the criticism based on one side’s observation and missing the context. When making a judgment about history, it is imperative to remember that the Present we Live in is always formed and given to us by the Past. The Present is always in debt of the Past, no matter what the Past holds, the good or the bad. Human history has always been about wars. History was formed and made with wars; just because you now live in some modern society with all the luxury of Twitter and social media, you cannot forget the realities of life and Humans. Even as I write these words, war and unrest are going on in the world at many places around the world. The most notable one is between Ukraine and Russia. There is so much loss of life and property as we speak. The strong always try to overpower the weak; that has been the only thing constant in this fallen world.
Let me illustrate an example. My country India was under British rule for many decades. My grandfathers and forefathers were all born during the British reign of India. Had the British not ruled, the very possibility is that India would have been Invaded by some other strong empires (maybe Muslim or maybe Chines or Mongolians), and who knows how many more lives would have been lost? Who knows of the possibility if my forefathers would have survived the brutal invasions and conversions, in which case I at Present would cease to exist and would not have even lived to write this. The other possibility would be that India would have been even more divided because of the divided culture and languages India already had. And to top, India had many cruel practices that widely prevailed, like sati and cast systems. If India was not united in the Past by British rule, who knows, we would have never tasted Democracy and would have been ruled like Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. Guess we would have many nations, with each regional language-speaking state forming its Government. The possibilities could have been endless, but because of our Past with British rule, we are what we are now as one India.
Let me clarify, I don’t support what happened in the Past, but the crux of my illustration is to bring to attention that there would have been hundred different possibilities, either good or bad or worst than the present state India is in if the British had not come to India. It’s a huge mistake and wrong to channel our thinking that India would have been very Rich if the British had not landed on India. The fact and the core truth that we all need to understand is that India today is Prosperous and Democratic only and only because of the Past we had. The Past has shaped the present times of India we currently live in. So let’s not go judging.
The sad state of today’s world is that people with foolish understanding spread many ideas and misinformation that spreads like wildfire because the others who listen have no knowledge or common sense to analyze what is right and wrong. Many miss the fact that the British ruled India with strict law, order, and discipline. For a person or people who have never followed law or discipline, it feels like an atrocity. They don’t understand it is for the good and betterment of society. Yes, they have been dark spots in the rule, but Independence India has also seen riots, killings, and whatnot. Whether the British or Indians rule the land, the core problem is with Human nature, and that is what needs transformation. And this transformation can only come through Christ.
Not Great Britain, It was Gods Work In Progress.
Our God is a sovereign. He makes ways and uses Kings and nations for His divine purpose and Will. I believe the rise of the British Empire and its Monarchs was used as a channel to establish God’s divine plans. It was because of this British Empire that most of the world was consolidated into one rule and, most importantly, under one Language. Today the world’s most common Language, English, was only possible because of the rise of the British Empire. This Common Language helped to spread the Gospel to the ends of the world. In an ordinary layman’s eyes, the British Empire was expanding and conquering the world. But when you look through the spiritual eyes, it was God’s Salvation plan in action. It was in this era that God raised many great Generals for His Service. Great Preachers, Evangelists, and Missionaries were introduced during this British era, and the Good News of our Savior Jesus Christ was presented to the ends of the world. I and my entire family, and like me, millions know Christ today only because of what transpired in the Past.
A major misconception among non-believers or Hindus/Muslims is that they think the Britishers brought a foreign God, and they converted the people. The fact is, it was not the British or the Monarch, for they were least bothered about religion or God; they had nothing to do with it. If we look at the Past, the monarchs have failed miserably in living a Godly life. For quite a time, the British had not allowed and opposed missionaries from entering India under British Rule. It was only because our Sovereign God, King of Kings, made things possible at the right time and raised His Generals who Sacrificed everything, their luxurious life, and families, only to come to India to Teach and Preach The Truth. Very Important NOTE, The Missionary came to India NOT to establish or teach a New RELIGION, but to teach THE TRUTH. They did not come with guns and knives but came in love and humility. They are the ones who changed the core society of India with their service in Teaching and Medicine. They were the pioneers in establishing educational institutions for the Indians. It was the missionaries alone, who penetrated the remote rural areas, understood the plight of the poor, and exposed the callousness of imperial administration. Struggling against the Permanent Settlement Act of 1793, they protested against the injustices and shortcomings of the British Government. There is much truth to be shared and written on this topic, and I will probably do a separate blog.
To close, the death of the Queen is genuinely an End of an Era. Going forward, the British and the Monarch will not remain the same. We live in the last days before the day of Judgement and the coming of Christ. The world will grow more and more selfish, more and more intolerant, more and more Ignorant, foolish, and arrogant. Coming days will be challenging, but in all things, let God grant His Mercy to us so we can reach the unreached, preach and teach the Good News of Christ. In all things, let Christ’s name be Glorified. Amen.
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