September 2023 found Bill and I on a “European Whirl”. The European Whirl is a two and a half week tour through Europe offered by Trafalgar. Our last stop was Paris. I have to say that I was looking forward to Paris and the Eiffel Tower. I knew it would be impressive, but I was truly awestruck.
The Eiffel Tower is a wonder during the day, and exciting to explore, but seeing it light up after dark is truly a thrill.
The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustavo Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair. The tower was not initially accepted by the locals, as they didn’t like the design, so it was scheduled to be dismantled in 1909. However, as destiny would have it, the tower’s height proved valuable to the innovations of radio and television, so, thankfully, the Iron Lady was allowed to stand. Today the tower is one of the most recognizable and most visited structures in the world.
The Eiffel Tower stands 1083 feet tall and is the tallest structure in Paris. Theoretically, a person can see the tower from 50 miles away. Interestingly though, while walking through Paris, from The Louvre, my husband and I couldn’t see it until we turned the corner and it was two blocks away.
All of this reminds me of Jesus. He is not universally accepted, He is attacked by those who oppose Him, is often hard to see, and yet He is always there standing as a Strong Tower. Proverbs 18:10 states, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe”.
I was excited to see the Eiffel Tower light up after dark, and I had read that it will twinkle for five minutes every hour on the hour after dark. I thought I was prepared for it. But I wasn’t. I don’t believe it is possible to be prepared for the absolute allure of the Eiffel Tower twinkle. I was taking pictures, I was videoing it, I was literally video calling everyone I know (despite the time difference)! The beauty is quite simply overwhelming. I found myself describing it as “life changing”.
And that was only five minutes of my life. On Earth. Thinking that Jesus, my Lord and Savior, creator of all things, has prepared in heaven for me more than I have heard, more than I have seen or can even imagine is pretty overwhelming (1 Corinthians 2:9). He is a good God. And I’m thankful to be His child.
