Built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower stands as the symbol of Paris and a spectacular monument to the technical expertise of the 19th Century. The tower was built to stand for 20 years; 126 years later, it celebrates freedom with light shows and spectacular panoramic views of Paris. Approximately 7 million visitors gaze upon this 300 meter-high tower. Some climb the 704 steps to the top; others take the elevators. Some stand at the base of the tower, gaze at the 7,300 tons of iron, take a few photos and move on to the next tourist attraction.
Keith and I met a lady in The Walking Company this weekend stocking up on walking shoes.
“I heard that the view from Notre Dame is better than the one from the top of the Eiffel Tower. I think I’ll just go to the top of Notre Dame and not climb the Eiffel Tower.”
“Nooooo! You have to go to the top of both!”
How often do Christians choose to go right up to the fullness of God, stop and admire the view, and turn around and walk the other way?
To the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’ Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Joshua 1:12-15
Forty years through the wilderness, battles in the Promised Land, home beyond the Jordan. They agreed to fight the battles, so that their brothers could possess the land that the Lord had given them, but they chose to live outside the Promised Land, and God honored that.
We see God at work in the lives of people in the Bible. We may even recognize God at work in our lives. We read the promises God has for us in the Bible. We nod affirmatively and read the next chapter. Sometimes, we work to possess a promise. Sometimes, we decide the battle is too difficult, and like the Reubenites, we cross back over the Jordan to what we think is a more comfortable life. God honors our decisions.
Like the lady in the shoe store, sometimes we take the word of others that it’s better atop Notre Dame, so we choose not to huff and puff up the 704 steps of the Eiffel Tower. We miss the satisfaction of conquering those 704 steps, AND we miss the spectacular view.
And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you? Joshua 18:3
It takes effort. It takes sacrifice. It takes courage. It takes faith.
It takes you plus God.
Won’t you step out and possess the fullness that God has for you?
My prayer
Father, show us the fullness and the promises that You have for us. Remind us how You have worked in our lives to prepare us for the time that we are to possess Your promises. Prompt us to step out and watch You fight the battles it will take to possess all that You have for us. Thank You, Lord. Jesus, we love You!
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