The Diamond Queen - A lesson in Vocation

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 16 April 2012 13:55:51

Over the last year I have read a fair bit about "vocation" and "calling" but The Diamond Queen (Elizabeth II and Her People) by Andrew Marr is by far the most unique on the subject and clearly the most interesting too. Within his book Marr makes it clear several times that the Queen regards her role as a vocation and a calling from God and what the book essentially seeks to do is unpack what that vocation is and how she has lived out that calling.

It is a fascinating book taking you, in 400 pages, on a whirlwind tour of the key aspects of her reign and can be enjoyed purely on that basis. I want to draw out the key things the book teaches us about vocation and calling though.

Firstly, the book teaches how calling to a vocation involves a complex relationship between "choice" and "destiny". Through looking at the Queen's route to becoming monarch (and the family history involved)the book details how life is a strange balance between free will and pre-determinism. On one level becoming queen was the monarch's destiny and something she had little control over BUT as discussion of her Uncle David (Edward VIII) illustrates she could have either rejected the role or have taken a different approach to undertaking it.

Secondly, Marr's exploration of Elizabeth's life and the living out of her calling illustrates how following ones vocation is often costly and can/ does involve sacrifice of ones own desires and ambitions.

Thirdly, in looking at the role the Royal Yacht Britannia played in the Queen's reign one can see how successful undertaking of a calling also involves knowing how to look after oneself and take annual breaks to recharge. This section of the book also outlines the way that in living out a calling the personal and public are often required to be lived out via a complex relationship.

Finally, the book outlines very clearly how an individual's calling and vocation can impact on those around them and lead to others making serious sacrifices in order to help the person they are close to fulfil their calling. This was most clearly shown in relation to what was written about Prince Phillip.

Now, I am clear that the Queen is in a unique situation with a one off calling, but as I say I think there is lots to be learnt on the subject of vocation and calling through reading this book. Perhaps it should be required reading for all potential candidates / ordinands and such like.