Tidbits for Thought

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS

John 14:6 “Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the

light. No one comes to the Father except through Me”

“When you’re weary…. Feeling small…When tears are in

your eyes…I will dry them all… I’m on your side…Oh,

when times get rough…And friends just can’t be found….

Like a bridge over troubled water …I will lay me

down…Like a bridge over troubled water…I will lay me

down.”

Those are just some of the familiar lyrics of the all- time

classic folk- rock song that happens to be one of my

personal favorites from that era. When Paul Simon wrote the

lyrics and then recorded them with Art Garfunkel, the song

was an immediate super hit. The millions of copies sold and

the incredible amount of play time was an indication that

they touched something deep within millions of individuals

who were aching for someone to hold onto to navigate the

hurts and bruises of life. While they were alluding to an

earthly love, the thought and the words of the song are a

perfect analogy of the celestial love of Christ for His hurting

children.

The presence of Jesus in an individual’s life has, for over

two thousand years, provided a rock-solid bridge from a

world filled with a treacherous morass of sin and sorrow to a

life of salvation, peace and assurance. Countless millions

have passed over this bridge into the loving embrace of

Jesus and continue to do so each and every day.

One of the requests of Jesus to His Disciples was to carry

His message to all in the world who will listen. Christians

honoring this request have been responsible for the spread of

Christianity throughout the world.

Our individual journey over the divine bridge that is Jesus, is

the experience that many around us might be seeking, even

though they don’t verbally acknowledge this desire.

Believers are called to reflect the reconciling love of Christ

by building bridges in their own relationships with others.

This involves fostering peace and understanding. It involves

forgiveness and mercy. It involves patience and faith. It

involves compassion and love.

When we take the time to build relationships with others

who might not look like us, think like us or act like us, we

are pointing them toward the bridge of salvation. We cannot

physically escort them across the bridge, but our love and

care can cut a path through the weeds of ignorance and

superstition…a path that leads to the bridge where the

presence of the Holy Spirit, working within, can accompany

them into the blissful presence of Jesus.

One can only imagine the celestial celebration when one

more individual finally embraces the truth and walks across

the bridge of salvation into the waiting arms of Jesus.

Think about it!         ~ Aron Smith