Castles and Foundations

You can’t really visit Scotland and not visit at least some castles. Some are beautiful restored, some are now in ruins, some are still occupied and some are now museums. Visiting these is one of my favourite activities. A lot of footsteps have gone before me, walking along the hall ways, and I can always dream about what it has been like. I can dream about being in charge of the castle, or marvel at what those truly in charge have done with it. Castles are build on very strong foundations.

Castles remind me of past times, of era’s gone by.

Fraser Castle

There is another type of castle. Sand castles are those built on the beach, with a bucket and spade… An alternate meaning is dreaming of something but without a firm foundation, or living a life without a firm foundation. Walking along the beach I love looking at those castles built by kids… and I remember I certainly also have dreams built on nothing but sand.

Sand Castle Remnants

There is a children’s song we used to sing.. A wise man built his house on the rock, but a foolish man built his house on the sand. Then the storm came and the house on the sand fell flat. The song is based on Matthew 7:24-27. In this passage we are encouraged to build our house on a solid foundation. On a rock. Not on sand, where it can crash.

“24 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain feel, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it”

Both castles are beautiful. But the big difference between a sand castle and a real castle is the material it’s built with and the foundation it’s built on. Castles are built to last, they are often in strategic locations, built on rock massive. Unlike sand castles/dream castles which can just blow away by the wind.

We are asked to build our lives on Jesus the Rock, so it can withstand the test of time. Just like the castles I have seen. It can weather a storm, where Jesus is the centre of our lives. We will learn to trust Him, and unlike the sand castle of dreams this relationship will stay strong.

“And I will build my life upon Your love, it is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone and I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon Your love, it is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in You alone and I will not be shaken…

Holy, there is no one like You, there is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder and
Show me who You are and fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me” (Pat Barrett)

Castles, dreams… what is your life built on? I hope it is on the Rock!

Slain Castle
Tolquhon Castle
Dunnottar Castle

Many Rooms

Arundel was the destination today..a beautiful large castle in the South Downs, in a picturesque little village. It’s the home of the Duke of Norfolk, and maybe I just envy his home!

The entry way to the main castle is a lawn, with a rose garden to the side. The sights of such impressive castle fills me with awe!

We were free to roam around with our golden pass, exploring all the rooms open to the public.

The first building to view was the Keep, dating back to 1067. Just unbelievable to think about all the historical scenes this castle has witnessed. Some of the scenes were shown in the rooms.

The newer part of the castle is still used today. The bedrooms had their beds made, the table was set, and the library looked very inviting to curl up, read and forget about the time.

The gardens were immaculate, and we just enjoyed looking around. The chapel, veggie gardens… you can see this is all cared for!

Here are some fun facts I found about the castle: the Dukes of Norfolk have lived in the castle for 800 years. The current Duke is the 18th one. It’s one of the oldest inhabited castle in the UK. It has doubled as a film location for Windsor Castle. There are 198 bedrooms in the castle. The grounds of the castle is over 40 acres.

Huge!

When Jesus was asked about the home being prepared for us in heaven, he answered: ‘in my house are many rooms. Would I have told you I am going to prepare a place for you if that was not so?’ (John 14:2) That passage comes to mind while walking through such a large beautiful castle. All the grandeur impressed me a lot. How much more will I enjoy being Home?

In this castle there were many areas that were private. However, in Gods much larger home I can visit everywhere I want to. I am very much looking forward to viewing that home too. And I hope you are too! He is making a place for you and me to be with Him. Do you want to live in that home?