Dear Fellowship Family, 

 

Earlier this week, seven of our school leaders attended the CESA Symposium in Houston, TX. The theme of the conference was being "Impact Players" in our schools and beyond. Author and speaker Dr. Tim Elmore led one of our favorite sessions in which he addressed generational dynamics and how we can champion the differences. In this context, Tim stated, "We must build bridges of relationship that can bear the weight of truth." I appreciate the powerful imagery this quote evokes. It is also timely as the central themes of truth and building bridges combine the focus of last week's Friday Reflections with this week's.

 

Last week, I focused on the responsibility we share in developing our children as Truth Seekers. This fourth installment of our "Rooted" series focuses our attention on another Christ-like character trait: Bridge Builder. Without compromising Truth, a Bridge Builder champions the uniqueness of others and supports harmony by extending love, compassion, and empathy. As Paul shared in his letter to the Romans, followers of Christ are to "do all that you can to live in peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). Dr. Elmore's quote reminds us of the critical and strategic nature of building bridges of relationship in order to be the communicators of Truth. The primary purpose of a bridge is to connect or join two things together. How apropos to envision our relationships as bridges for the purpose of walking in and communicating Truth with others. 

 

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus repeatedly modeled for us how to be a Bridge Builder. His actions constantly and consistently built bridges to express God's love and exhibit His movement toward people. Think of Matthew, the tax collector, whom Jesus invited to be His disciple; the "immoral" woman who anointed Jesus' feet with perfume and whom He deemed saved by faith; Zacchaeus, another tax collector, who hosted Jesus and His disciples for dinner; the Samaritan woman at the well who became an evangelist for Jesus; and the women who were given the responsibility of spreading the Good News of Jesus' resurrection. 

 

Jesus could have chosen to only associate with the priesthood, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees - those who knew and kept the law of Moses and were highly respected in society. Instead, he touched and healed those deemed unclean. He gave value, power, and purpose to that society had labeled as outcasts or without value. He offered kindness, love, and forgiveness to those who had not yet believed. Never compromising His character or forsaking God's commands, Jesus did not build walls to keep people out. Instead, He built bridges to bring them into His fold. 

 

Being a Bridge Builder starts with the understanding that everyone, being created equally in God's image, has inherent value and was designed for His purpose. It also begins with the acknowledgment that we were once in need of a bridge. May our gratitude for the bridge we have in Jesus nourish the roots of our faith, and may we continue to increase in influence for Him by extending love, compassion, and empathy to others. 

 

Building bridges,

 

Dr. Kathryn M. Teston