Repairing the Breach
By Susan K Bradley
Webster's defines the word bridge
Webster's defines the word bridge as "1 a: a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle, b: a time, place, or means of connection or transition, 3 a: a musical passage linking two sections of a composition or transition, c: a connection (as an atom or group of atoms) that joins two different parts of a molecule (as opposite sides of a ring)
The Word of the Lord 2007
The Word of the Lord 2007 given by the prophetic team at my church contained a statement that said before a new structure can be built the old structure has to be taken down. The Lord highlighted that sentence to me with the recent collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis and the Tuo River bridge China.
The I-35 bridge collapsed during rush hour
The I-35 bridge collapsed during rush hour. Many of the motorist on the bridge at that time were commuters going to and from work. The present generation of business people, moms and dads, ministers, etc. The bridge was 40 years old. The number 40 often represents a generation.
Bridges connect things that have no natural connection. Bridges allow us to transition from one place to the next. They provide an avenue for one side to experience life on the opposite side. Bridges allow two different areas to relate to one another. This last fact is especially true when we look at bridges that connect islands to mainland such as the Florida Keys to South Florida or Jekyll Island to the rest of Georgia. Areas that other wise would be isolated from each other are connected and can relate to one another via a bridge.
"His voice was like the sound of many waters" Revelation 1:15
"AFter that I heard what sounded like the shout of a vast throng, like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of terrific and mighty peals of thunder, exclaiming, Hallelujah! For now the Lord our God the Omnipotent reigns!"
There is a sound God wants to release in the earth. It is the sound of the generations, genders and races praising Him together. It is the sound every tribe, every tongue, every nation worshipping their Creator. That is the sound that will capture the ear of the King and move the heart of the Bridegroom.
In order for that sound to fully come forth some changes have to take place. I believe the bridge collapses may be a metaphor of these changes. It is time to change how we connect and relate to one another. This is especially true concerning relationships between the generations, genders and races. Given the shakings that have begun and are coming upon the world our traditional bridges and typical structures of relating may well give way under the pressure of intense use. Just as the I-35 bridge has brought attention to the fact that many of our nation's bridges need repair so likewise this indicates we can no longer afford to ignore strained, weakened or broken relationships. We can't over look the areas in the body that have become disconnected and deceive ourselves into thinking that we can continue to travel together on our journey without any consequences.
Recently the newly constructed Tuo River Bridge in China collapsed. Even the stress of growth and acceleration can cause us to lose focus, lose connection and experience structural failure if we are not guarding and nurturing our relationships.
Part of the etymology of the word bridge comes from the Old Church Slavic "bruvuno" which means beam.
Christ on the beams of the cross formed the supernatural connection between us and the Father when there was no possibility of natural connection.
Jesus as we are daily formed in Your image show us how to supernaturally relate to those with whom we have no natural connection. Teach us how to build relational bridges founded on mutual love and respect, mutual honor and submission.
Let the sound of many waters be heard in the earth.
Susan Bradley
Seasons Church
Valdosta GA