A tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
"Grief is the price you pay for love", said the Queen about the death of her husband, Prince Philip.
We mourn the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, whose life has been exceptional. Guided by her strong faith – based around exactly the same values that we call the Oasis 9 Habits – she has been inspirational. In her Christmas Day TV Message, back in 2014, she said this, “For me, the life of Jesus, the Prince of Peace…is an inspiration and an anchor in my life…Christ's example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of all faiths or none."
The Queen’s Christ-centred faith was her engine – her inspiration. And, just as for us, it’s what drove her to dedicate her life to the service of others. Over the last 70 long years of her reign, all agree, whatever their views about the monarchy, that she has been the most astonishing example of generosity, stability, strength, courage and resilience for countless millions of people – in times of joy as well as of struggle, in times of tragedy as well as of celebration. Elizabeth II has proved to be a beacon of dependability in a world of change and uncertainty; rooted in faith, turned outwards in service to others and an inspiration to the team at Oasis.
I have learned slowly, that whatever you do for yourself, never lasts. But what you do for others always lives on beyond you. The Queen has been a shining light of someone who lived and lad for others, rather than for herself. An ongoing example to us all here at Oasis. So, it is, that even in this sad moment of her death, she has created for each one of us the opportunity to stop and to reflect as an organisation, as well as individuals, on who we are, how we want to live our lives, the values that we want to own, and on the legacy that we will leave behind in the lives of others.
Rev. Steve Chalke MBE, Oasis Founder.
