Crossing Bridges

When we were on our recent mission trip to Vancouver, British Colombia, we had the chance to see several beautiful bridges. One stands out above the rest called the Lion’s Gate Bridge. Not only was it beautiful but also we got to see it seven different times, crossing one way or the other. Only three of those crossings were on purpose.

The first time we crossed the bridge we were looking for a grocery store and our “smart phone” said there was a Walmart on the other side. We did not find the Walmart but we found a nice grocery and bought the breakfast items we needed for the week. On the way back across we found that four lanes of traffic merged into one lane crossing from north to south so it took a long time to make the crossing. We decided we did not want to do that again, or so we thought.

The next day we went to The Community of Hope in the morning and helped Pastor Yong Kim by talking to the homeless who came for the lunch they served. I had the opportunity to share a message of hope from the Bible. Afterwards we went to Gateway Baptist Church to prayerwalk the area. Later in the day we headed for our apartment. Our GPS systems worked great getting us everywhere we needed to go. However, the GPS was not able to tell us that we could not make a left turn during that hour of the day. We found ourselves on the inside of four lanes of traffic with no way to get off headed directly for the Lions Gate Bridge. Once across we had to get back by turning around and following the flow of four lanes as they merged into one, again.

The next day we did it again. I tried to be smart and watch for an opportunity to turn left before the traffic closed up and swept us across the bridge. But, there was no such opportunity. A day or so later we were in a different area, North Vancouver. By the time we realized the GPS was taking us home by way of the Lions Gate Bridge it was too late. We just followed the flow and practiced our patience, a fruit of the Spirit.

The last day in that area I tried a different tactic. I knew what was coming so I went for the right lane instead of left. I discovered a turn around that allowed me to get to the other side of traffic by a park. Hallelujah!!

Our experience reminded me of Jesus talking about the narrow and wide gates. “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (HCSB)

The wrong way is easy to find. The right way requires help. It is good to know that Jesus is the Way! (John 14:6)

Bro. Robin

Working on Scaffolding (in Unity)

A few years ago we watched as the old education building that was attached to the church was torn down. After the building was removed a group of volunteers from the church met together and closed in the end of the building that remained. It was a flat side with a high roof and we covered it with wood and metal siding. We had a couple of experienced carpenters but the rest of us knew how to handle screws and nails where they told us to put them and hand stuff to the men who knew what they were doing.

I was most fascinated by the carpenters. I like to work with wood in my shop making furniture and shelves but this was a whole different level of skill. One carpenter was on the scaffolding measuring and calling out numbers while another carpenter on the ground cut pieces according to those numbers. I never saw them need to recut any pieces because the measuring and cutting was always precise. The rest of us were either in the middle handing pieces up or on the scaffolding screwing in the extra screws needed to finish each piece.

We worked like a team. We all knew what needed to be done and when we finished one task we quickly moved on to the next. There was no competition or jealousy.  When one needed help we helped without asking or needing to be asked. We discovered the true meaning of unity.

Paul describes unity by comparing the body of Christ to our own bodies. He said, “Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.” (Romans 12:4-5 HCSB)

We are made up of many different parts that work together and are dependent on each other with one brain, the mind of Christ. When one part hurts the whole body hurts. When one part celebrates, (like the sense of tasting comfort food), the whole body feels good.

It took all of us to close in the wall. This is the way it should be in the church. The skilled and unskilled, one gift or gifted with many, all are important. It takes all of us working together in love and support to fulfill the Great Commission.

Bro. Robin