Building Bridges

In one of our previous blogs, we summarized our Savior’s ministry as breaking down barriers. He is continually working to chip away at those “Berlin walls” which divide man from man, man from God and nation from nation. To take that one step farther; he would also build a bridge over the ruins of those manmade barriers; bridges of understanding which connect classes, cultures and creeds.

When the French started building the Panama canal in 1870, the thought was to dig a gorge deep enough to cut through the isthmus of Panama and connect the two oceans at sea level. Despite their dedication to the task and their outstanding engineering skills, they ran out of time and money and were not able to complete the task.

What enabled America to succeed where France had failed? For one, by 1907 medical science had made dramatic progress in understanding the causes of tropical diseases and how to control them. In addition, engineering technology had also made huge strides.

But there was something else that was equally important: A new concept had emerged. Instead of cutting through at sea level, why not build over the isthmus, a series of locks, which would use water power to lift the great ships, on the Pacific side, 85 feet over the land barrier and then another series of locks that would lower them back to the level of the Caribbean? Instead of cutting through let’s build over. It was this new concept that enabled the Americans to succeed where the French had failed.

Often times we fail because we think we can, with sheer effort and determination, blast our way through mountains of difficulty. With American ingenuity and ambition we can achieve anything we set our hands to do. History has made it clear that had we endeavored to cut a canal deep enough to connect the two oceans we also would have failed. The topography necessitated not a gorge but a bridge; a water bridge to lift the huge ocean liners up and over to provide a path between the seas.

When we maneuver ourselves by faith into the lock of God’s love, a power flows around us, lifting us to the next higher level in our journey through time toward an ocean of eternity. On the cross Jesus reached out in both directions and provided just the bridge we need.

I’ve heard it said: If you can’t get around a problem then climb over it. If you can’t climb over it, dig under it. If you can’t dig under it, then tunnel through and turn it into a gold mine. I like that kind of can do philosophy. But the day comes, trust me, when no amount of trying in our own strength can avail. That’s the time to start trusting in the overarching love of God which provides just the bridge we need. Next time you see a rainbow, remind yourself of that.