MY ENCOUNTER WITH A BRIDGE
I recently visited my Great Aunt Ann, who is 90 years old. We were talking about church and family history. History is something we both love to study and talk about. In our conversation, I brought up the fact that she personally knew some people who were born and lived in the 1800’s. I thought it was so neat that she had connections to people who lived in a century before I was born. “You’re like a bridge between me and them,” I told her. “You knew them and I know you.” Because she is this bridge, I could ask her questions about people I never knew, in a time I never lived in. I could still share in a piece of what those before me experienced.
I learned that the ancestors who helped start the church I grew up in came to America in the 1800s because of religious persecution in Europe. They were impacted by the ministry of John and Charles Wesley. Their decisions and actions led to starting a church that planted seeds in my mind and heart. I also learned that some of my other ancestors worked for the Queen of England. Even so, they decided to come to America to “live a better life.” They were looking for something better than a palace. I am thankful for people like my Great Aunt Ann who can serve as a bridge between me and these stories from the past.
WHAT IS A BRIDGE?
According to www.merriam-webster.com, a bridge is:
- A structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle (such as a river)
- A time, place, or means of connection or transition (building a bridge between the two cultures)
A bridge is a connecting piece – a connection between 2 things that may not have a connection.
BIBLICAL BRIDGES
We can look to the Scriptures for some Biblical bridges.
Moses was a bridge between God and the Israelites. Acts 7:38 says “He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.” Moses had an experience with God. The people shared in part of this experience through Moses as he passed on God’s words to them.
Moses was a bridge between God and Pharaoh. Exodus 6:28 tells us “Now when the LORD spoke to Moses in Egypt, he said to him, “I am the LORD. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you.” God spoke to Moses. Moses spoke to Pharaoh.
In another case, God spoke to Moses, Moses spoke to the Israelites, the Israelites passed words on to their children. Deuteronomy 6:1-2,6-7 says “These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. … These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.” This was a multiple-bridge connection, passing on important information.
Psalm 145:3-5 tells us one generation is a bridge to another. “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty…” One generation experienced the acts of God. Passing down the testimony of God’s works connected those who experienced it to those who hadn’t, but still needed to remember it so they would continue to know who God is.
Another example of this is Psalm 78:1-8: “My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old – things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their ancestors – a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.”
And of course, our ultimate bridge is Jesus, a bridge from us to the Father, from sin to eternal life. In John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As believers, we can connect other people to this Bridge. I suppose you could say we can be a bridge to this Bridge.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A BRIDGE
You are each a bridge from a time, culture, or experience that may not be familiar to those you encounter. This bridge, or connection, could change someone’s life. Maybe you can share with a family member some truth that can set someone free from a lie they have been believing for years. Maybe you can share an experience you’ve had living in a different country or being part of a different culture that can open a friend’s eyes to what is out there, and the people who need to hear about Jesus. Maybe you can share with a neighbor the life you used to live and how God has changed it, providing them a connection to a God they didn’t know was real.
Your stories and experiences are valuable and important.
How can you be a bridge to someone today?
Lord,
Thank you that we can connect to each other like bridges – passing on words, culture, experiences, and amazing stories of things You have done. Show us where we can use our stories as a bridge to connect other people to You.
Amen.
Lindsey, I love that you used the image of the bridge here to make us think about how we can bring God to one another. I feel like this blog post connects well with the others on connectivity so you adding your own unique approach to that is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing!
Great word of encouragement, Lindsey. I enjoyed the scripture readings and connections. See what I did there?!
I wonder how many bridges we will see when our lives replay from heaven? We must be making bridges all the time without noticing. And many more if we are walking in faith and obedience.