Remnants of Wars: Musee L’Armee
I arrived in France on Sunday, October 19, and, after a few days of “taking it easy”–discovering local small eateries near my private apartment rental; sampling scrumptious breads and desserts; listening to a new dialect and coaxing my body into a new time zone–I’m ready to discover whatever God reveals. On October 21, I began in ernest to see my favorite city: Paris!
Musee du L’armee
It took the better part of an entire day to walk through the first of many museums: the Musee de L’Armee, home of Napoleon’s tomb and the largest collection of military artifacts in the world.
The Dome where Napoleon is buried.
The Cross of Jesus in the chapel of Napoleon’s tomb despite his vehement personal opinion: “As for myself, I do not believe that such a person as Jesus Christ ever existed; but as the people are inclined to superstition, it is proper not to oppose them.”
The tomb is an exquisite testimony of France’s love for Napoleon.
Apart from the spiritual calm provided by our Heavenly Father peace is an earthly allusion. People disagree, squabble and toss angry words at one another. Harmful words lead to physical battles and sometimes death of one or the other. When disagreements aren’t worked out, wars begin. Walking the corridors of this museum I saw display after display of weapons and protective gear. Decades later, the end of one war feeds hostilities and animosity leading to still another battle. Innocent people die.
Middle age weaponry and the crusade battles were well represented with an impressive display of breastplates, shields, swords and helmets–even the horses were well outfitted. Believing God directed the crusades thousands of men left the safety of their homes with the blessings and support of their kings, priests and fellow countrymen.
Even a royal child is prepared for battles.
Men and their war horses prepared for war
Different shields for battle and those used during “parades of victory.”
Very different from modern warfare, men peered into the eyes of their enemy during hand to hand combat. Enemies were intimately known.
Another area of this museum depicted WWI and WWII artifacts. Display cases of every country’s uniforms, weapons and photos showcased the devastations caused by hatred of man against man. Photos, movies, letters and documents revealed Hitler’s evil deeds. Millions succumbed to atrocious deaths simply because of their Jewish faith. I lingered to watch several reel to reel movies revealing horrors of Hitler’s extermination camps.
Living far from any battlefield Americans never hear gunfire, feel the power of a bomb, breath the putrid odor of death, nor ever personally witness the aftermath of war. Until recently all wars remained hidden from view–no live broadcasts; Internet and the world wide web didn’t exist. I realize how truly sheltered I am from the realities of war. My news is filtered–televising only what is determined “we fragile souls” can tolerate viewing. (Even Al Jazeera’s telecasts shown in Paris are hidden from Americans.) But knowing of atrocities doesn’t stop them.
Islamic terrorists slay innocent lives every day yet the world is paralyzed from acting against it. Instead of hiding the blood of those slaughtered, as Hitler did, Isis showcases its deeds directly onto air waves. Flaunting its deeds of stealing women and children, decapitating Christians and using young boys as soldiers, this evil continues unchecked. Isis leaders proclaim they follow the true teaching of God–Islamic laws spoken by their prophet Mohammed. What God authors this?
My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ commands us to love one another and turn the other cheek. It is true, He is everywhere and sees everything yet allows the horrendous deeds of men. Free will of man secures our ability to hurt others if we so choose. My own heart is burdened. I feel helpless. Weapons change but war is the same. People always die.
I thank God I live in the safety of a land called the United States of America. But I cannot ignore what God reveals. Just seeing so many weapons, displays and artifacts changes me. With only one day, one museum behind me, I know I will never be the same after this adventure with God.
