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Gospel Seine-ry Part 3: Seine at Sunset (John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16)


Paris is built on and around the Seine so there is so much to be seen. One of the many beautiful things we saw was the Seine at sunset. We were blessed to be able to have a short cruise on the river – and us much by accident on our part, but Divine Design in reality, we caught the city illuminated by the light of the sunset before the night falls.

As the sunset shone it showed amazing outlines of things we may not have noticed or at least not noticed in the same way: the Cathedral Notre Dame, the river facing face of which was seemingly free of scaffolding; many historic and official building and bridges; the Louvre (itself a work of art before an orange sky). As the sunset lights up the silhouettes of the city and illuminates the beauty of Paris, so does Jesus in our world and our life. Whatever is happening all around us, as we look to the heavens at sunset, we can look to Heaven anytime and notice the Glory and the Love of God shining in our lives; compelling and propelling us through- sustaining us in everything. As dark, busy, turbulent and challenging as all of our world can be, as we travel through it and look to Jesus there is that light, so that, we -you and I- never need to walk in darkness.

And the Eiffel Tower!  The Eiffel Tower, oh the beauty of it I can not describe as you see it change from day to light. From darkness to light. As the sun goes down, you can see the tower beautifully silhouetted and then, when darkness hits, just when you think you can’t see it’s outline anymore… pop! The lights come on! The tower is illuminated and just like in the daylight, even more so in the darkness the Eiffel Tower can be seen from everywhere! And even more as we were walking back along the shore after the sun had well set and the Tower was brightly illuminated, there was more! It sparkled! It really did sparkle so if somehow you could have possibly missed the shine of the light of the tower, you could not miss it as the sparkles shoot up down and everywhere.

This is so much like the city on the hill in Matthew. When Christ lights up our life He can fill us with such joy and love that we cannot possibly hide it. Like a person who has just met the love of their life for the first time. As in a new relationship so can our relationship with our Lord and Saviour be lighting up the world and our hearts with the sparkles of joy even in the darkness of life and that joy can be contagious as the love of the Lord beckons all around us – so much so that it cannot be hidden!

 

John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

 

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