Bridges
Andy Raatz
Golden Gate. Tacoma Narrows. The Cobbin Bridge.
You have most likely heard of the first two bridges, and I can guarantee you have never heard of the last. The first two bridges are incredible feats of engineering. The Cobbin bridge was a rickety one-lane bridge that crossed the Chippewa River a couple miles from my childhood home. My prayer life increased while driving the hundred yards to the other end of that bridge!
But all three bridges have the same purpose—to connect two points of land and provide an avenue of travel.
Those bridges are well known (relatively) and have names to identify them. But recently I began to notice how many bridges I cross daily. The majority are short, nameless concrete spans that keep our roads and highways level, crossing ravines and creeks, bays and inlets. They connect—albeit over small, short expanses. That simple purpose of connecting is essential to daily life.
In the same way, spiritual connections are the essential lifeblood of our journey with Jesus. His grace grants us passage over the gap from our sin-filled past to a joy-filled relationship with God. Jesus’ death on the cross is the bridge to a new life, a new citizenship, and a new community. Ephesians 2:21: “…in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
Jesus connects us to himself.
He then connects us to one another.
And he then calls us to be bridge-builders in the same fashion.
Before every gathering I love meeting people, shaking hands and trying to learn names. It isn’t complicated—a simple hello…welcome to ECC…my name is Andy…how long have you been coming. And every week I meet someone who has just started attending, looking for ways to connect and a community to whom they can belong.
As followers of Christ, our biggest opportunities don’t require a lot of skill. We don’t need to be preachers or teachers, singers or poets. We just have to be friendly bridge builders, helping people to cross over into community, friendship, healing, and Jesus. You can be an introvert (connect to just one person) or extrovert (leading a small group). All that matters is that you connect. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Cor. 5:20 NIV)
This week, work to build a bridge to someone you do not yet know. Open up a seat at your table—both literally and figuratively—even if you have a well-established circle of friends. Let grace flavor your invitation, and perhaps God will use that very bridge to draw your new friend into becoming a new or better follower of Christ.