Bridges

These are a means to span an obstacle and bring access to what otherwise would be disconnected. They can be viewed as the link between where we are and where we want to go. Many people live in isolation, not being prepared to reach out or build bridges to others in society. God designed us for interaction between Himself and others, however

People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges

because of sin and hurts the tendency is to withdraw. We should always sow seeds that develop healthy relationships besides reaching out to the disadvantaged and hurting people of society.

Good bridges to build, strengthen and use include: healthy relationships, networking, extending forgiveness, taking responsibility or ownership. Friendship evangelism is a method of sharing the gospel of Christ with those with whom we have established a mutual bridge of relationship over a period of time. It is considered through this interaction we have 'earned the right' to share Christ with people. Jesus is the ultimate bridge builder – He spanned the gap between a holy God and us sinful humanity by His mission of mediation (1 Tim 2:5).

Bridges that we need to burn or destroy to prevent us going back to wrong lifestyles include: revenge about the wrong done to us (forgiveness frees us from the shackles that would bind us to the offence); the unfairness of life’s circumstances (don’t wallow in victim mentality in the down periods of life); unwise personal choices (regret can paralyze from trying again – give yourself permission to start over again); destructive habits and associations (these are ‘comfort zones’ that prevent us moving forward into our potential, by keeping us bound to unhealthy lifestyles).