Weekly Devotion
"The Hoi An Bridge"
Hi Faith Family!
I pray you are happy and healthy today,
Yes indeed, that's me in the middle of a bridge in Hoi An, Vietnam. I look prettty good there not only because I'm so far away from the camera, but also because this picture was taken a decade ago.
Back to the bridge. It is a rather simple structure, to transfer people and goods from one side to another. The bridge below is old, but well-made and strong. It has taken people from one side to the other for many years.
In stark contrast to the above, the bridge below was not well made. In Southern Vietnam, the bridge below collapsed in September 2007, killing 60 and injuring 150. This was the worst bridge collapse in the history of the country.
This is an occasion you can give thought to the subject of bridge building. I'm not talking about placing a welding torch in your hand, or putting you behind the wheel of a cement truck. I'm talking about the relationships you are building with others.
Take a moment and consider the people you have met in the last year . . . 3 years . . . 5 years. Consider how your relationship has changed over that time. Perhaps you haven't really thought about it much before. Well, think about it now. Where are those relationships going? Are they improving? Into what direction are those relationships angled? Are you talking about spiritual things more as time goes on . . . or less?
I encourage you today to rededicate yourself to the relationships you have with others. But into the bridge-building, please mix in prayer. Pray that the Lord will direct and bless the relationship in order that you might be able to bring the Gospel across. Either to counsel the believer or to witness to the pre-believer--Ask for God's blessing in the bridge-building; that is, the relationship building you are engaged in right now.
A wonderful prayer is the close of Moses' only Psalm, Psalm 90:
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands."
I always considered this an awesome prayer, asking for God to do the building in our lives. We make our plans and decisions, depending on God himself to do the heavy lifting. God himself has bridged the gap between himself and sinful humans through the cross of his One and Only. Because of Jesus, the guilt of our sin has been removed. Through Jesus, you have crossed over the bridge from death to life.
God bless you, dear brother--dear sister, as you now give attention to the work of building bridges in order to bring your Savior to others. What a comfort that the Lord accomplishes great things through his Word! What an honor that the Lord calls us to be his witnesses! What an opportunity God has given to you today, as you build your relationship bridges with prayer, depending on God's establishing awesome things for his Kingdom, to his glory!
Prayer idea: Pray for the people God has placed into your life. Pray for opportunities to witness your faith, and encourage fellow-believers. Pray for your family, friends, neighbors who don't yet believe in Jesus or whose faith is weak or troubled. Praise God for all he has established in your life and work!