Castle Dreams
“I want to live in a castle when I grow up!!”
That was my reaction after visiting several castles in Italy and England on a recent vacation. Prior to this trip I had never been to a real authentic castle. (I don’t think Disneyland’s castle counts. Sorry, Cinderella!)
“I want to live in a castle when I grow up!!”
That was my reaction after visiting several castles in Italy and England on a recent vacation. Prior to this trip I had never been to a real authentic castle. (I don’t think Disneyland’s castle counts. Sorry, Cinderella!)
It was just last week that I was on my way to Soave Castle in Italy with my friend Stephanie and her two girls. We had been on several day trips that week without the girls, but this day was special. We were going to visit a real live castle!
What more could two little girls ask for? Or two big girls for that matter, and even boys and men. What is it about castles that we love?
Castles were originally built for several different purposes:
Shelter– castles provided shelter as domestic residences. Lords and ladies built homes on the hillsides, living there with children, servants and livestock.
Stronghold– castles were used as a military defense. The walls built of stone were big and strong, sometimes laid on a rocky, stone foundation for an even stronger defense.
Safety– castles were also known to be places of safety and refuge in times of crisis. They were fortresses where people could seek refuge when needed whether from storms or invaders.
These are things we love…shelter, strength and safety.
It strikes me that the things we love about castles are also what we love about the Lord. Scripture uses this same language to describe the Lord and His strength and protection. Take a look:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:1-2) (This whole psalm continues with the same language.)
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:2-4).
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:9-10).
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
And finally, here’s one that includes all three:
“You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin, the foreigners’ stronghold a city no more; it will never be rebuilt. Therefore strong peoples will honor you; cities of ruthless nations will revere you. You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat” (Isaiah 25:2-4).
So, when I dream about castles now, my thoughts also go to the Lord. He is my shelter and my stronghold. He holds me safely in His arms.
And one day, maybe, I’ll live in a castle when I grow up!
