I have a peculiar fascination with bridges. On one day from Vicksburg to
St. Louis we crossed the mighty Mississippi 7 times. I have been known to ride
back and forth over the bridge from Astoria, Oregon to Long Beach,Washington
just for the ride. Bridges intrigue me, as they are architectural designs that
take us over chasms, or as the chicken will tell you, to get to the other side.
They are purposeful, can be beautiful, and some are even best seen from
underneath, as going over them is not quite as exciting. Take the New River
Bridge in West Virginia, 45 seconds across, or 45 minutes down the winding road
to go over the old bridge at the bottom. Done both, guess which one I remember
the most. The view under is incredible, they even will take you on tours to
climb on it! Some are scary, as riding over the Mackinac Bridge, with one lane
closed, being replaced and you can look straight down, the other lane open mesh,
looking straight down, slippery and dangerous in the wet on two wheels. The
Bridge of the Gods in Oregon is the same, shaking every time the semi in front
of us moved, looking down over 200 feet below....scary but fun. Maybe the
longest bridge, riding to Key West, the many small islands connected by bridges,
with no place to turn around. Some are just old, like the free bridge in Easton
over the Delaware, with a view of the new bridge most take. The most
interesting, the Y Bridge in Zanesville, Ohio, forks off in the middle, making
the term the fork in the road take on a new meaning. And yes, we rode it back
and forth so we could take both forks in the bridge, I mean road.
My first thoughts when seeing the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge was how bummed
the first pioneers must have been, traveling all those miles across the desert,
then the mountains, only to be confronted by this gorge that runs for almost 100
miles. How were they going to get across? Today the bridge takes few minutes,
and back on US 64 and more curves. We rode the Royal Gorge Bridge before it was
closed to car traffic. I rode across, Theresa walked, feeling safer. Incase it
gave way....I have been across the Golden Gate too many times, yet it always
seems a new ride and new beauty. While a certain walking bridge in Portland,
Pennsylvania is always a must stop, the sight of the last covered bridge across
the Delaware. Riding over the Mississippi from Vicksburg, it is interesting to
look over at the old bridge, now closed to traffic and wonder. When is an old
bridge obsolete? Worn out? No longer needed? Or just replaced by a newer
architectually beautiful bridge like the Port Mann bridge in Vancouver, BC.
Some still there as landmarks, like the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Some a memory
with just trestles remaining. But each one in its prime was built to carry
people or goods across a wide divide. To get to the other side rather than
going around the long way. Putting ferries out of business. Some beautiful
like the Verranzano Bridge, but pay attention, as it ends suddenly in a tight
curve on the Long Island side. The high concrete walls separating oncoming
traffic a stern warning. Some breath taking like the Coronado Bay Bridge, but
to me intriguing because when the bonds were paid off, they cancelled the
tolls. See Congress, it can be done! So bridges have purpose, but also can be
a thing of beauty. And also a good way to see the US of A!
1Timothy tells us of another bridge, one that enables us to be reunited
with God. When Adam sinned it formed a chasm between man and God, and there was
no way to bridge it. The law couldn’t do it, and God’s desire was to fellowship
with us. But nothing man made could bridge the gap that sin had created, so God
sent his son Jesus, to bridge the gap. To be that connection, to reunite us
with God, and for us to fellowship with him. A bridge unlike any other, that
goes only one way, once you are in, you don’t want to go back and travel it
again. Yet we all fall short, and the bridge is open to us 24/7. Not that we
lose the salvation Jesus provided, but sometimes we get off course, we lose our
way, and Jesus is the way back for backsliders, too. A bridge with no toll, it
is paid for us, and we can cross over to be with God whenever we want. Yet some
just see the bridge as another route to God, one of many, and neglect to choose
it, when it is the only one. And God has made it so clear in the scriptures,
that only the foolish fall prey to lesser ways that end up where they started,
and without God. No relationship, but plenty of religion and legalism to keep
them bound, and from finding the freedom only Jesus Christ can provide. Yet
many choose other ways to God, maybe afraid to cross over the chasm for fear of
falling, seeking a God who cannot save them, yet trying to save themselves.
Aren’t you glad our God saves?
Riding up Highway 1 you come to the Bixby Bridge, made famous by the old TV
show “Then Came Bronson.” A man who sets out to find himself on a motorcycle,
the opening a conversation between him and a man in a station wagon.
"Hang in there."
- Driver: "Taking a trip?"
- Bronson: "What's that?"
- Driver: "Taking a trip?"
- Bronson: "Yeah."
- Driver: "Where to?"
- Bronson: "Oh, I don't know. Wherever I end up, I guess."
- Driver: "Man, I wish I was you."
- Bronson: "Really?"
- Driver: "Yeah."
- Bronson: "Well, hang in there."
From here he heads out to California's State Route
1 and then crosses over the Bixby Creek Bridge. Sadly too many just hang in there, when they can be rejoicing
over there. For there is a promised land God has promised for those that choose
him, who let Jesus bridge the gap sin has created. How many times have I wished
to be Bronson heading out, searching for myself, when Jesus was there all the
time. Only to be told, “just hang in there,” with no reprieve from the hurt and
pain being suffered. When all the time the bridge to God was open and the
spirit calling. If you are on the same trip, the same road, the bridge is open,
and calling you today. Will you make the trip with Jesus?
Once you make the decision, there
will be no turning back.. No one who has gone to heaven wants to come back, and
no one going to hell can. Both are one way crossings, and we all face the trip
one day. Rain or shine, old or young, walking or riding, we need to make the
trip Jesus provides today. To look back at where we came from, and be thankful
for a merciful God who loved us so much he sent his son to die, so we could have
a way. The Jesus Bridge, not found on any map or tour guide, but one imprinted
on the hearts of man. A bridge ending with God, taking us back to where it all
began, before sin entered. A perfect world, so unlike what Bronson was looking
for. Don’t settle for “wherever I end up,” settle for no less than God. Take
no other route than the one he offers in Christ, and find the hope and peace we
all desire. Just around the curve, just over the bridge, lies a loving God. It
takes a bridge named Jesus to get there. Taking a trip....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com