A weekly reflection from a member of the Hastings clergy Written by Pastor Paris Pasch of The Journey Church in Hastings Bridge Building or Bridge Burning Before I was called into the ministry of the …
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A
weekly reflection from a member of the Hastings clergy
Written by Pastor Paris Pasch of The Journey Church in Hastings
Bridge Building or Bridge Burning
Before I was called into the ministry of the church, I was trained as an engineer and have a basic understanding of the power of a bridge to connect two distant locations, often over a precarious gap. Bridge building affords an opportunity to be invited onto the other side. We can enjoy what was once not accessible to us by building a bridge.
Today’s culture seems to be creating greater gaps and fewer bridges. Often in disagreements people approach a potential bridge with a can of gas and a match, rather than with building materials of conversation and compromise. God’s word challenges us to make room for others who are also all made in the image of God. I’ve long said that God will take us just the way we are but loves us far to much to leave us that way.
If we simply transition that thought to what God did at the cross, we see He used the life of His son Jesus to build a bridge over the chasm of our failures and our sins. He built the bridge, so rock solid, that it didn’t require our human efforts to finish it or improve on it. So now the bridge is built, and we are being invited to cross over and enjoy the benefits on the other side including eternal life with Christ.
Colossians 2:14 (NIV) having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
What good news from God, but now let me shift again toward how we could enjoy being bridge builders ourselves in life. If you see a gap between you and someone else, don’t focus and accentuate the gap, start building a bridge. The bridge of listening is so powerful in life. The bridge of friendship is wonderful and enjoyable for both sides. Build a bridge of respect for your fellowman rather than emphasizing his past errors or his previous generational misstates no matter how terrible they were. Consider that God built the ultimate bridge asa model for us to follow suit. Life on the other side is worth the journey.
Written by Pastor Paris Pasch of The Journey Church in Hastings
