The Bridge Builder

There is a generation following us. They are looking to us for direction. The treacherous waters we have crossed into adulthood and spiritual maturity are now a serious challenge for them. They need us to step up and help them navigate the way. We must be bridge builders. As we walk before them, we must look ahead while also looking back and building bridges that will help the next generation have safe passage across potential pitfalls. We cannot afford to be selfish...moving through the challenges without turning and looking back at the generation that is following us. Rather, we must be building a bridge that can help the next generation find safe passage into being an adult who loves and serves Jesus. Bridges constructed for those coming behind us must be built with the materials of love, compassion, empathy, relationships, vision and spiritual leadership. If we do not build a bridge, those who follow us may stumble and worse yet, be swept away by humanism, postmodernism, skepticism and agnosticism as they try to cross into adulthood without a moral bridge. You and I have crossed the bridge into adulthood. Those behind us have not. And they are looking to us for guidance and wisdom. Will you be a bridge builder? Will you make a way for the next generation? Will you turn and offer a hand of help to those behind you? You have the unique advantage of having already crossed the dangerous waters into adulthood. But your work is not done. You and I must now turn and make a way for the next generation. The easy thing to do is to plod ahead...not concerned about those behind us. But that's not what God wants. He commands us to pass on the faith to those who follow us. This is clearly stated in Psalm 78.

For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.

We cannot just plod ahead...not looking back...not willing to build a bridge with relevant materials...concerned about preserving the past more than meeting kids where they are and helping them find safe passage. The next generation is looking to us for a way across. The next generation is waiting at the bank to see if we will build a bridge for them. Will you be a bridge builder?