Better to Build Bridges

We live in a beautiful part of the world where England and Scotland meet. Here, stone walls, skillfully erected, stretch for miles across high places, marking territory and securing pastures for flocks and herds. Here too, stone bridges hump their backs to keep roads clear of the raging torrents which often rush down narrow hill streams. They too are the product of skilled craftsmen through the years, but I am reminded of an old saying: ‘Better to build bridges than to build walls.’

Our walls are mostly for protection, but sadly throughout the world people and nations put up walls which say: ‘This is mine! Keep out!’ Sad, because the commandments to love God and love our neighbour, which are at the heart of all our believing and living, are bridge commandments. They remind us that Jesus lived and died and lives still, to be our bridge to the Father. They tell us our Christian duty is to be open and welcoming to all—to be peacemakers. Sometimes we may find ourselves challenged to take down the cosy protecting walls of our Christian life and use the love-stones to make bridges for others to reach God.