The Bridge

A few years ago my son brought home a High School project, with instructions to build a bridge out of toothpicks. It could be of any outward dimensions, but had to use the “triangle” as the basis of the design.

It was a huge project! In the end, each student’s project would be tested by the amount of weight it could bear until it broke.

What intrigued me was that it underlined two basic truths in my thinking. The first was that children are the “weapons” that defend a family legacy, whether good or bad. (The Bible says “arrows” in Psalm 127:3-4.) Jesus declared that this was meant to demonstrate the works of God – who is basically good! (John 9:3.) My son was learning to see the wonder of God's creation, and could carry that vision to others.

The second was that the concept of three is not only found in the Bible, (Ecclesiastes 4:12), but is demonstrated in the building trade, and architecture, just to name two. Just a quick glance into the structure of a steel building is enough to convince one of that. Also, think of a “three-legged stool”.

What I had not seen before, however, was its relationship to living out the Christian life. In Matthew 7 and Luke 11, Jesus tells us to give, pray and fast in secret. In my study on the subject, it finally dawned on me that this was no accident! To be a whole Christian, all three components need to be active – in total dependence on the living God.

Naturally I questioned times when only “one” or “two” of the components were mentioned. However, it also occurred to me that each speak of an attitude – a “giving” attitude; a “praying” attitude; and a “fasting” attitude. If that is the case, giving can be in a praying and fasting attitude; praying can be in a giving and fasting attitude, and finally fasting can be in a giving and praying attitude.

You probably say, “Huh?” “You are nuts, who can figure that out.” Think about it, I would love to hear your response.

It just increased the wonder of the Great God, and the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and just how easy it is to be proud when it is totally unreasonable!