Bridging the Gaps of Life

 

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”

—Psalm 68:19

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

—Galatians 6:2

Did you ever stop to think what your life would be like without bridges? People who live near rivers, or even swamp land, would have a nearly impossible time getting to work or reaching common shopping areas without bridges. We can all be grateful for the continual burdens that bridges carry to allow us ease in our daily lives.

Have you ever become a bridge for another person? As such, you became that one’s help in crossing one of life’s gaps, or in traversing a tough spot in life, or in helping someone to move on to the other side of a difficulty.

In considering the subject of bridges, I can’t help but think of the Simon and Garfunkel lyrics from the 1960’s: ¹

When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I’ll dry them all (all)
I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

Certainly, if people who likely lack an eye to pleasing our Savior can think that way about their friends, how much more should we act as willing bridges for those who need us to help carry them over the gaps to wholeness? After all, we have the example of a God who bears us through this life, and of a Savior who bridged the gap on the cross for our sins.

Sometimes, it even becomes necessary to act as an old-fashioned covered bridge for others: protecting them from the fierce winds of adversity, or from the cruel and bitter sting of sin and shame. Such people need the hospitality and healing of a safe and guarded way to bridge the gap. And, God calls us, from time to time, to offer this solace to His hurting children.

Jesus told us in John 15:13:

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

The next time we drive over an expansive bridge, or stop to view a covered bridge, we should remind ourselves that, just as we sometimes need bridges to arrive at our next destination, so Christ may have need for each one of us to become a bridge to help span the gap for someone else on his or her journey through life!

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1 Simon, Paul. “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”, ©1969. All Rights Reserved. These lyrics remain the sole property of the copyright owners. Included here under the “Nonprofit Educational Use Provision” of Section 107 of the U. S. Copyright Act of 1976.