Be a Bridge, Not a wedge.
BRIDGE: a structure carrying a road, path, railroad, or canal across a river, ravine, highway, railroad, or other obstacle.
WEDGE: a piece of wood, metal, or some other material having one thick end and tapering to a thin edge that is driven between two objects or parts of an object to secure or separate them.
For this illustration, a wedge is talked about as a divisive thing. A wedge can be used for good when it is used properly. For example, when installing a door frame, a framer must measure and cut the proper opening size. However, there are usually gaps in the structure, and for the door to fit, swing, and close appropriately and proportionately, there needs to be wedges in precise places. If you open your door and it swings open or close, the door frame is not balanced correctly. Another form of wedge could be used with a heavy hammer when splitting logs for firewood in preparation for winter months.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:17 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.3.17.NIV
He, being Jesus, did not come to divide or wedge people from Himself. No, He came so that all who believe in him might be saved, and through him, He is the bridge on that straight and narrow so that all could come to Him. Those who do not believe in Him have been wedged away from God by their actions and disbelief. We all have a choice to either serve and live for Jesus or not.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.3.23.NIV
Everywhere we look right now, we see a wedge in what was everyday knowledge.
What is right is now considered wrong, and wrong is viewed as “right” in the world’s eyes. Now more than ever, it’s critical to know and understand God’s word. His word and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will have discernment and clarification when things become murky.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalms 119:11 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.119.11.NIV
The nation continues to suffer from tragedies and travesties where acts of violence and separation go into large areas to injure and kill.
When these acts happen, for a moment, everyone grieves and feels for the ones involved. Unfortunately, more often than now, and very soon after, Instead of a nation coming together to offer support, aid, and prayers to the families of those who lost their children or parents, there was a political, spiritual, emotional, and value wedge, a divide in how everyone reacts
Some react with prayers, as most do. However, the conversations eventually switch from focusing on the family that lost their loved ones to concentrating on the fear of retaliation against differentiating groups.
We need to be the light in such a dark and divided world.
We need to be the light that shines bright for Jesus
We need to be that bridge of support that shows love to those in need.
A Christian can and should be all of these things and more.
Our body is a temple, and as such, we need to honor God’s creation.
We need to be mindful of what we do with our bodies
what we put in our bodies
What we put on our bodies, our skin or our clothing, etc
Your physical well-being:
Are you eating enough good foods and limiting the junk food?
Are you exercising?
Your spiritual well-being:
Are you going to church?
Are you reading your Bible?
Are you praying and speaking with God?
Your mental well-being:
Are you getting enough sleep?
Sleep plays a huge factor in your mental well-being!
Is what you are watching, reading, etc, Godly content?
Your social well-being:
Your social well-being is super important.
Are you having fun?
Are you hanging out with friends?
If you see someone lacking in any of these points, you can be a bridge for them. And give your testimony on how your relationship with Jesus has helped you.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.40.29-31.NIV
Jesus is all of these things. He is the light. He has not come to divide the world. He has not come (yet) to judge and condemn the world. He came and has come to save the world so that we all will be saved through His salvation.
Test the spirit and ask God for clarification. You will begin to feel and know when something is of God or Not. And if you aren’t sure, ask Jesus; the Holy Spirit will help you understand His will for that situation.
It’s essential to understand how to differentiate what is of God and what isn’t. The more you ask and understand the difference between what Jesus is saying and the world, the easier it will become.
Jesus is our bridge to salvation and eternal life with the heavenly father. He is not the wedge to divide us but quite the opposite. He wants to bridge the gap, bring us closer to him, and have a relationship with everyone who accepts him.
Sin is our wedge.
Jesus, by dying on the cross, with his arms stretched out wide (much like a bridge) spanning from end to end, is our bridge to cross from this sinful world into glory with Him in heaven.
Ask the Holy Spirit to be a bridge for you wherever you are. Be the bridge so someone can come to that you might pray with them, be a friend to, someone to talk to. One of the best ways to encourage someone and strengthen your relationship with them is to be there and talk to them. More often than not, people want someone to listen to them.
Most people think that for someone to get involved in church is to invite them. We must befriend them first. Let them know that we care. That we will be someone they can talk to and have someone to listen to without judgment.
And even when they do come to church, it’s essential we never change or ever judge. We aren't usually the ones that handle that. Our job is to be there for them. But remain cautious to prevent you from being drawn away from Jesus.
When it comes time for their relationship to start and grow with Jesus, it will be between Jesus/Holy Spirit and them to work those things out.
Let me ask you this: do you go to the doctor when you are healthy? Or do you typically see the doctor when you are sick?
The Lord says, come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest. We usually go to the doctor when we are sick. Sin is a sickness that only Jesus can save us and forgive us. No other person can forgive sins except for Jesus and believe in Him that he died and rose again.
Jesus washed us clean by dying on the cross.
Take a moment to reflect and let the Holy Spirit speak to you. Do your thoughts, actions, intentions, and heart present yourself as a follower of Christ? Do they show that you are helping to bring people to Jesus, our bridge? Or, with great humility and conviction through the Holy Spirit, do you see yourself as a wedge?
Be an encouragement to your friends and peers
Be a bridge, not a wedge.
-RWA
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.10.31.NIV
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
James 4:17 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.4.17.NIV
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Galatians 5:24 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.24.NIV
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.27.17.NIV
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
3 John 1:11 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/3jn.1.11.NIV
“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
Mark 3:25 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.3.25.NIV
Bridge: BigRentz. (2023, October 16). How are bridges built? A visual guide. https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/how-are-bridges-built
Wedge: Council tool square head wedge. www.leevalley.com. (n.d.-a). https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/log-building-tools/wedges/114835-council-tool-square-head-wedge?item=48U0835%0A%0A
