Building bridges

Building bridges

‘I really enjoy flying Regular Passenger Transport,’ says Pilot Dave Chandler.

‘I love moving people around and providing these bridges between communities, needs and services. I think it’s a real privilege to be able to do that.’

I love the phrase that Dave, who is based in Arnhem Land, uses about providing a bridge.

He’s referring to the way MAF regularly flies young people who’ve been involved in crime in Arnhem Land to take part in activities like hunting and fishing, enabling them to gain confidence so they can return to education.

Only connect

Being a bridge is a metaphor with which Christians will be familiar. Jesus, in being our bridge to the Father, makes a way for us to come close to Him. He enables us to be fully connected with the One who loves us the most.

‘There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity — the man Jesus Christ. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone’ (1 Timothy 2:5, NLT).

God asks us to do this in the world around us, reconciling us first to Himself so we can then reconcile others to Him.

Our call is to build bridges in our communities so people can walk over them to find hope, healing, and ultimately salvation.

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most stunning bridges I’ve ever had the privilege of walking across. When it was built, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Its purpose was to connect parts of San Francisco to the rest of the state because this large American city had begun experiencing stunted economic growth due to isolation.

It was a risky venture, with the constant challenge of strong winds and the dangerously deep waters of San Francisco Bay. Sadly, its construction was not without danger, with 11 men losing their lives endeavouring to complete this architectural marvel.

Connecting the dots

Being a bridge for people and communities to experience God’s provision can also be costly and demanding work. It means being willing to put aside our preferences, schedules and sometimes resources to reach out and connect with others.

In your journey of faith, I’m sure you can think of several people who did this for you, and I’m sure that you’ve also been a bridge for others.

God promised Abraham, ‘I will bless you… and you will be a blessing… and all peoples on the earth will be blessed through you’ (Genesis 12:2-3, NIV).

So, like Abraham, we need to be a bridge — a means for people to receive the love, blessing and provision of God.

Pilot Dave says that carrying out this work is a tremendous privilege. He reminds us that, when you know God — the source of all things — it’s a joy to be able to connect people to Him so they can experience His abundant life.

At MAF, we’re grateful to God to be able to provide this kind of bridge in many of the world’s remotest and most isolated locations, and thank Him for it.

Response

Ask God to call to mind those who have played the part of a bridge in connecting you to Him. Give thanks for them, possibly sending a text, email or letter to acknowledge their role in your ongoing journey of faith.
Pray for MAF staff in Arnhem Land as our flights continue to help young people who’ve found themselves in the criminal justice system to return to education.
Pray that God will continue to use you as a bridge to His love in your local community.
Finally, why not sign up to MAF’s Global Week of Prayer and join us in praying for the needs of the world? You can do so by visiting www.maf-uk.org/gwop

Only connect

Connecting the dots

Response

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