Building Bridges
- Christen Moore
- Jul 10, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 5, 2022
Frazzled Prayer:
Lord guide my mind today as I crack the door to my own broken heart and allow your light in so that my eyes might see truths that are hidden to me when I'm bound in the shadows.
Let me consider those that are hard to love as children that belong to you and in my heart Lord seek to see them as the beautiful creations you designed them to be. Let me take refuge in the knowledge that your peace is always available to me even in the midst of my burdens and that I am free to love as you have designed me to do so.
2nd Corinthians 13:11. Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Relationships can be:
Overwhelming
Exhausting
Painful
and a myriad of roller coaster emotions that will send you flying at one moment, and crawling uphill just as you turn a corner. But
Relationships can also be:
Exhilarting
Comforting and Encouraging
Healing
At times you may feel like you are being whipped around so fast and hard that you might feel like you have no idea what to expect next.
The Big Question: How can we help it?
There are three things we will focus on in this short series to maybe help you in whatever relationship you are struggling with.
First: What is your Why?
Second: Perfect your Position
Third: Build a Bridge
Jesus Did it First
We see this pattern modeled in the life of Jesus and how he masterfully planned our salvation in a very broken relationship.
Jesus' Why: Jesus had a very big WHY! He LOVED us. Unconditionally, an AGAPE love. Even though we had broken our vows with him, and rejected him and wounded Him, He loved us and was willing to die to restore a right relationship with us. He had His motivation and He was committed to it.
Psalm 100:3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Jesus' Perfected Position: Jesus understood His place in our lives. In His authority, He has made us with a Free Will and in order to honor that in the midst of our rejection He maintains a gentle boundary. He could ultimately command our obedience ,but He chooses to come by invitation only.In the meantime while there is separation He is still tentatively waiting and listening for even the slightest desire to reconcile.. positioned to respond with open arms.
2nd Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Jesus Built a Bridge: Jesus was busy while we were separated. Making plans for the days of restoration in great Faith and Humility. He prepared a path through great sacrifice and suffering and literally gave all that He had to light the way for us to follow.. knowing that if we could see the open door we would return to Him.
John 3:16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life
It is fair to acknowledge that we ourselves are not Jesus, and therefore we will fall short of his Glory and perfection, but He has laid the foundation and given us the tools..
Let's Build a Bridge Together
HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:
Take a timeout with God and pray for the person or persons you need restoration with. Ask God to help you see this person and yourself through His eyes.
Work on your Why: Write down at least 3 reasons you desire to restore or improve your relationship with this person. Next week we will carve out your Why and help it take shape.
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