Be a Bridge

By Ron Thomas

    Take a look around you. Look at the members of the congregation where you attend; take notice of the varied ways of thinking you hear every now and again. Some of those you hear, you agree with, but others not. Not only do you not agree, but you strongly disagree, and even wonder how any can think that way. Be reminded, though, that as you think this about them, they think this about you.

    Perhaps, you both are correct.

    How do you bridge the significant gap between the two ways of thinking? For certain, it can't be done with any long-lasting effect by insisting your way is the only right way, or even the best way among the alternatives. Even though you believe this strongly (no one willingly believes a lie), there are others who believe just the opposite. What if you tried to be a “moderate” between two ways of thinking, will that get you very far? Perhaps it will give you a reprieve or a cover of sorts over the gap in the varied ways of thinking, but it is only a thinly covered gap. Given turbulent experiences, those who hold contrasting, even contradictory opinions, both go to their respective corners and wrap their arms around that which they know.

    In the end, it does not seem possible to bridge any gap with this approach.

    There is really only one bridge for humanity to be utilizing. It was Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life...” Think about what that means.

1) He is the way. That means there is only one path to walk.

2) He is the truth. That means there is only one right way of thinking, and it does not have its origin in any of us.

3) He is the life. When our physical lives are finished, what then? With the Lord’s way, His way is life; the realm of eternity in which He reside is not measured by time. I think that is the life for me. How about you?

    How can you be a bridge? Begin by not thinking truth rests with you. Secondly, approach a person with the Lord’s “golden rule” (Matt. 7:12). Third, be a contributor to another’s struggle by offering options to consider, not giving answers. Fourth, perhaps most importantly, pattern your life after the life of Jesus.

- Ron Thomas preacher for the Sunrush Church of Christ, Chillicothe, OH. He may be contacted through the congregation's website. www.sunrushchurchofchrist.org