Bridges vs. Walls

“Bridges are, more beautiful than bombs are.”

In case you haven’t heard this beautiful song by Aaron Niequist, you need to. It’s called ‘Love Can Change the World’ and it’s lyrics and music are wonderful. I feel like this song, more than any I’ve ever heard, shows the true posture of worship. And of course, I’m gonna like any song that says love can change the world, because that’s my life mantra. :)

Anyway, this Sunday pastor Jeff at one point said a phrase that really stuck out to me: “If God is building a bridge, are you going to continue building a wall?” Man. I think that statement is really convicting. We, as Christians, are so guilty of often building walls where God is busy building bridges. I think about this a lot with ‘the fringe’ in our society – or as my friend Doug puts it, the ‘left out, left behind, and the let down in us all’. How often do we as Christians build walls around ourselves to protect against those who are ‘different’ from us, while meanwhile God is building bridges into their hearts? It makes me really sad to think about all the times in my life that I have done this, either intentionally or unintentionally.

I had a conversation today with someone very close to me, about why I’m passionate about getting involved with H/AS (HIV/AIDS Services). For me, it’s building a bridge. It’s about loving my brother and sister, and seeing them how God sees them. And while this person made valid points and counterpoints, and while they’re entitled to their own opinion, it made me sad. Because where I see bridges being made in the Christian community, here I saw a wall.

And I’m not sure what to do with it.