Following the Son photo and writing by Michele Hughes Bridge Builder
M
y husband and I had just finished walking on the fine, white sand in Orange Beach, Alabama, when I turned around to take one last look. What an incredible opportunity to “take the shot” of the glow on the bridge of this stunning sunset with a half-moon in view. Sometimes in life, we need to stop, turn around, and take the shot or opportunity to build a bridge versus walking away. Bridge builders are people who create relationships that cut across the lines of conflict. They help establish relationships, improve communication, and build trust among people and groups. Jesus was and is a bridge builder. We, too, are called to be bridge builders. Have you ever been in a situation with someone where you knew you couldn’t agree and chose to walk away? Or maybe in our days of cancel culture, you just deleted them and wrote them off. But as we mature, we learn better ways of handling ourselves in these tense situations. For example, one evening at church, my husband and I were talking about baptism in our group. People were sharing their stories. One of the ladies disagreed with something we said, and she decided not to come back. When someone followed up with her, she returned,
and I invited her to a WWL event. God revealed to her a past baptism situation that she later shared with me. Soon after that, she signed up for baptism and shared her story. I am delighted to say that she currently serves on the baptism team. She and I experienced Israel together and have become very dear friends. God wants us to work together and live as bridge builders. He wants us to serve one another and grow in our relationship(s). Are you willing to stop and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you for the sake of building relationships? In this way, we can win against the divisiveness of cancel culture. The Bible is filled with examples of bridge building. In John 8, Jesus built a bridge of compassion and mercy to a woman caught in adultery. Discover the life changing impact of Barnabas in Acts 4, 9, and 11. We must be willing to see the need. To build bridges, not barriers. Jesus makes a way. He is the bridge. We just need to be willing to allow His Will to be done and align our heart to His. LOVE WINS!
Michele Hughes, a #1 best selling author, resides in Jupiter, Florida,with her husband. They own and operate GoLifeSavers.com where Michele has taught CPR classes since 2011 as the lead instructor. Michele holds a master’s degree in education and serves on the leadership team in Women World Leaders. She loves the Son/sun, family, paddle boarding, travel, and encouraging others.
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