We also saw Napoleon’s tomb and the Arc De Triomphe. I walked between the Arc and the Eiffel Tower a number of times actually trying to find Susan after I climbed the Eiffel Tower by myself – Susan, as one who is not particularly fond of heights, passed up on that opportunity. Napoleon's tomb and even more so the Arc De Triumph he had constructed reminded me of the parable of the rich fool. Napoleon’s tomb is grand and all around him are his generals – almost like an Egyptian Pharaoh surrounded by his slaves and household members, with him in the centre. As important as he was – for good and bad, a lot of bad, a lot of death – he died just like everyone and if He did turn to Christ than He is in the same better place that all of us can be but, if he turned to himself and his hubris instead..
The Arc de Triumph. Napoleon, convinced of his continuing victories in Europe; so sure of himself that he will wipe aside any who try to stop his murderous armies, he builds this amazing Arc of Triumph that he and his soldiers could march through to show Paris and to show the world their power and their strength. When the Arc was built and all ready for a parade, do you know who the first to walk through in full military parade were? The Germans. Napoleon had built this symbol of power and hubris to himself and his soldiers and, like the parable, his life was demanded of him before he had completed it and others (France’s foes) got what he had prepared for himself.
So with us. The Alberni Valley Salvation Army has been honoured with so much in the community. We have been able to help with so much: making the shelter, saving and growing the Bread of Life, Covid-10 Response, and so much more in just the previous few years alone! Not to mention the many, many things, God has done through all of you, and your forebearers here in the Valley before you. Let us celebrate all of those victories but let us never fall prey to the hubris of believing that we are doing it, rather than Christ in us. Let us never think that we ourselves or anything else is more important than being rich towards the Kingdom of God.
Luke 12:16-21: And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
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