Feb 10 2013
Make Me a #Bridge Builder!
Bridges of Progress and Promise!
Make me a bridge builder. From lost to found, I’ll see them through, A bridge builder From us to them, From her to him, From friend to friend, Dear God, a bridge builder From me to You.
Bridge builder by Marsha Stevens and Ken Caton copyright 1987 Marsha Stevens dba BALM Publishing
I think that bridges are magnificent constructs in so many ways. Whether made from wood, concrete, brick or steel, whether elevated just mere inches or several hundreds of feet, whether in a remote corner of this world or in “The Big Apple,” no matter how simple or spectacular, all possess this one common purpose – to connect, to link together. They are a means of spanning that which divides, which separates. Without #bridges, our entire global economic, financial, relational and societal infrastructures would implode. We need bridges – and not just structural, but of human form as well!
This begs a question. When it comes to spanning the oftentimes immense chasms that we have in our world today, many of the same themes I address in my book #“The Walk” (www.thewalkbook.com), be they economic in nature, political, faith-based, gay or straight, the color of one’s skin or simply our everyday relationships (simple?):
Are you – am I, a bridge builder or a #demolition expert?
We all so desperately need one another, though, in our naivety, we can believe or be sold on the notion that we are all we need, and/or, that we can achieve our highest and best by “hanging with our own kind,” those that think like us, talk like us, look like us, reason like us, etc. We are self-deceived if that be our station! That line of thinking will always lead to a collective sense of pride, self-righteousness, excess, judgmental-ism, bigotry, control, abuse, over indulgence and more. None of this reflects the heart and mind of the #CREATOR. HIS is a #SPIRIT of unity and inter-dependence – not one of rugged individualism. Anything that serves to expand the void, all those things that would feed our fear of all that we don’t understand, won’t understand, runs counter to the purposes of the #DIVINE. Without one another, we are incomplete as human beings!
Life partners need one another if they are to become that “third person” envisaged in the #Jewish Scriptures in the Book of Beginnings – #Genesis. The #Jewish person and their #Muslim brother/sister need one another if they are to embrace and experience the fullness of their joint #Abrahamic inheritance. The conservative needs the liberal and vice versa, so that the legacy of our natural treasures is an imperishable one, responsibly balanced with meeting the needs of our changing global economies and population. Peoples of all races and faiths, #gay, #transgender, #straight, each possessing unique and invaluable perspectives and gifts, represents an invaluable storehouse to abundantly share with one another. As I share with complete transparency in “The Walk,” there was a time when I was a proud, though horribly misguided destroyer of the very prospect of building bridges with an entire community, convinced of my own virtue which I wore on my sleeve for all to see and worship. I was frankly, in retrospect, obnoxious. Today, I’m one of the strongest advocates for that same community, a proud bridge builder – and I’m the richer for it.
Believe me – building bridges is so much more rewarding and on so many levels. It’s all about creating and making progress. Demolishing bridges is about one thing only – destruction and regressing. I’ve been the latter. I much prefer the former and will be a voice for it till I breathe my last breath!.
Keep #Walking!!!
Were you ever a demolition expert? What bridge building experience have you had? Has this post personally spoken to you in some way?
Bridges are truly essential as you have noted Alan. A world without bridges of any kind would be unrecognizable. Exploration of what lies just beyond us would be impossible! I believe in our own ways, we are indeed bridge builders and yes some demolition experts as it were. Some of the bridges we build to either close the gap between friends or our relationship with God, are merely ropes with footholds. It is up to us as to the power and strength of the bridges we create, build, sometimes tear down and create again, and ultimately allow us to cross over and reach our other side.
Even the ricketiest and seemingly weakest of bridges will allow us to reach the other side. Some bridges have a lot longer gap to cover and can take a lifetime to construct. I believe if our bridges are even built one foothold at a time, it matters not how long it takes or the length required to close a gap…it is in the work itself in building our bridge that matters. Like any building towards closing gaps whether it be a personal friendship or our relationship with God, it may be one step back and two steps forward. All that is important is that we do not give up on building the bridge. There are times when others will choose to tear down the bridge so they cannot be reached. That is their choice and it is also okay to realize that some gaps are not possible to close if there is not the willingness from the other side to take hold of the bridge and anchor it. We cannot build bridges alone. We need someone to grasp the other end and help secure it. Thankfully, it is comforting to know that the bridge we build to reach God will never be demolished by Him. If you are willing to take on the task of building a bridge to get from here to Him – He will help and guide you all the way and will be your anchor on the other side and will hold as firmly as your faith to cross the bridge, no matter how solid or shakey your bridge may be.
My GOD – you make several outstanding points. I especially love your insights as to requiring someone on “the other side” to anchor the bridge, that it takes “two” when we’re attempting to “bridge” the chasm in a relationship, your reference to reaching our “other side” and that it matters not how quickly we construct our bridges – what matters is that we’re making progress! Thank you so very much for making such an investment as to your answer.
LOVE your post! I was a demolition expert for so many years. And I am so grateful to be able to see how I was able to change that ‘role’ and become the bridge builder I feel I am today
Thanks for sharing dear Alan! Slowly but surely I’m enjoying your new book THE WALK very much! ♥
Thank you so very much for your comment my dear friend. I too, like you, at one time was a “destroyer” – and sadly, felt all the while that I was DIVINELY appointed! Thank GOD – GRACE intervened and enabled me to “see” – a testament to “never say never” when thinking that someone is “unreachable.” I was at one time, a so-called “unreachable.” Thank you so very much for reading “The Walk.” I am truly honored and blessed! Hugs till next time.