Leaning Tower of Pisa

This bell tower of Pisa is considered one of the seven wonders of the medieval world. It is visited by millions of tourists every year. Construction started in 1173, and five years later, it started titlting because of "shallow foundations and unstable subsoil."*

It has not toppled over because engineers, through the centuries, have been trying to come up with a fix.  During the restoration work from 1999 to 2001, engineers placed weights on the structure's leaning end and extracted soil from below, causing it to slowly sink back in that direction.

Barring a large earthquake or other unforeseen disasters, engineers believe it will stay put for a few hundred years more!  

Like the Pisa bell tower, we need something to lean on as we grow older with unstable balance. There are canes, staff, and walkers that could steady us as we walk. The old patriarch Jacob, who was once young and strong, had to lean on his staff.   

“It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.”  (Hebrews 11:21 NLT)  

The symbolism of the staff dates back to ancient times when shepherds used them to guide their flock. 

Today, with a staff or any of the above physical aids for steadying us, we can maintain our bearings if we lean on the Lord. He said in Isaiah 41:134 (NLT), “For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” 

Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” 

To my young-once friends: our stronger years are gone, but we have a Redeemer, our Tower of strength. He is the Staff we can lean on. 

To my young friends of this generation: May you always lean on the Lord’s strength in your weakness, as we have, your seniors. Otherwise, without leaning on His grace, we would not have lasted this long. 

*The tower was finally completed in 1372.