He is my Bridge-Builder!

In Sunday School, we are doing Ann Voskamp's Bible Study One Thousand Gifts based on her book by the same name.  I highly recommend it.  In Lesson 4, she brings up how God is our bridge-builder and we demonstrate our trust in Him as we place our planks and walk across the bridge.  It's a beautiful image that I, surprisingly, have never understood before.  I have hard the song that goes "Like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down" and loved the song.  I have heard about bridges over the years in religious terms, but until doing this particular lesson, I have never understood the symbolism of the bridge so clearly.

In the study, the question is asked:  "What is the connection between trust and joy?  How can trust in God become a bridge to lasting and growing joy in our lives?"  As we were talking about this connection between trust and joy, I had this image of someone getting to the other side of a broken bridge and jumping for joy because she made it.  So as we take each tenuous step across the bridge He has built, we are "laying our planks of trust" (as Ann refers to it) that He will get us to the other side.  So once we are on the other side, we have experienced His strength and power and we feel true Joy in Him for getting us to the other side!!!!

So even taking a step is an act of faith, trusting in Him to have built the bridge to carry us brings us great joy!

Isn't that an awesome thought?!

It also reminded me of the scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when Indiana has to take the step of faith out onto the bridge he can't see--until he actually takes the first step.  Even when we can't see the bridge--the planks of the bridge, God has laid them and He is there, ready for us to take the first step of faith--and trust in Him.

So the question I have for you is this:  Are you trusting in the bridge-builder and taking even the first step to get to the other side--the other side where His pure JOY awaits?  I'm sure looking up more to Him rather than down in fear and wondering if the next plank will be there.....!

Your Ways are not my Ways, O Lord

Your ways are not my ways, O Lord.

I understand that.  I don’t doubt Your ways.

I don’t question Your purpose for my life.

I long to do Your will and follow the

            path You have for my life.

But, I am afraid, of my past and of my future.

I try to follow Your word:

            to not worry about tomorrow

            because tomorrow will take thought

            of the things of itself

                        and to

            Trust in You with all my heart and

            not lean unto my own understanding,

            in all my ways to acknowledge You

            so that You may direct my paths.

But reality hits me like a Mac truck and

I again feel the warm, unmoving body

            of my beautiful, beloved son in my arms.

I again feel his deathly cold skin against

            my lips as I kissed him that one and only time.

I remember all the blood indicating a second loss.

I notice my empty womb when others’

            all around me are full and growing.

Does Your plan for me include such blessings?

The hurt is deep and strong,

But I promise, O Lord my God,

to continue to seek Your will

And to always trust in You.

I still desire that my life be a living testimony of You.

Even when the pain is so overwhelming that I wonder

if the wounds will ever be completely healed -

You are my King, my Lord, and my God.

                                   

                                                                        - Polly Anna Watson

                                                                                    April 15, 2000