Happy Monday! In our corner of the world it’s a blustery beginning to the week, which has absolutely nothing to do with the word-of-the-week …
Bridges
I’ve had a few encounters over the last few days that leave me asking this question:
Is Jesus more interested in bridges or walls?
I tend to be a wall-builder. My essence seems to demand a separation between right (us) and wrong (them). I’m getting better about wading into senseless, divisive arguments, but that doesn’t block my internal sense of self-righteousness.
I’m pretty sure that’s not how Jesus wants me to look at others. I think He wants me to see commonalities rather than differences, to seek ways to unite rather than divide.
Unfortunately, my definition of “unite” normally means that everyone else should move toward me.
What if Jesus took that approach? What if He’d stayed where He was and insisted that I approach Him on His terms?
He chose instead to come to me and sacrifice Himself to build a bridge. I’m reminded of my friend Dick Foth’s wonderful summary of the gospel:
Jesus left His place
and came to our place.Then He took our place
so He could take us to His place.
I want to build bridges this week.