Building Bridges, Not Walls

[bluidkiti]

Building Bridges, Not Walls

For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us.
—Ephesians 2:14

One day while I was praying, the Holy Spirit showed me that my life had become a bridge for others to pass over and find their place in God. For many years, I erected only walls in my life; but now where there were walls, there are bridges instead. All the difficult and unfair things that have happened to me have been turned into highways over which others can pass to find the same liberty that I have found. I have learned to build bridges instead of walls.

In Hebrews 5:9 Jesus is referred to as "the Author and Source of eternal salvation." He pioneered a pathway to God for us. He became a highway for us to pass over. It is as though He faced a giant forest and went in ahead of us so that when we came along we could drive right through it without having to fight all the elements and the density of the forest. He sacrificed Himself for us; and now that we are benefiting from His sacrifice, He is giving us a chance to sacrifice for others so they can reap the same benefits we enjoy.

Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus endured the cross for the joy of obtaining the prize that was set before Him. I like to remind myself of that fact when the way seems hard. I tell myself, "Keep pressing on, Joyce. There is joy ahead."

Make a decision to tear down your walls and build bridges. There are many, many people who are lost in their messes and need someone to go before them and show them the way. Why not be that person for them? Walls or bridges? The choice is yours.

From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer.

[MajestyJo]

Have found that many people have bridges that only go one way. Too many one way streets lead to a lot of confusion. Detours and road blocks make life difficult, and instead of looking at the problem and trying to fix the problem, they go around it, only to often find themselves back at the same place, stuck again.

There is a spiritual solution. Sticks and stones when thrown can hurt for a while, but in the long run, but when you lose your soul, you lose everything. Words can hurt too just as much as a physical blow. Build a bridge between you and your God and move forward with your life.