Building Bridges
I recently re-watched the famous 1996 film, The Ghost and the Darkness, which is based on the true story of Colonel John Patterson leading a massive, diverse team whose goal is to build a bridge over the Tsavo River in Kenya in 1898-1899; and the lions who terrorized his camp and workforce.
Just as he’s setting off, Patterson’s wife tells him: “You’re a bridge builder, John. You have to go where the rivers are.” In Patterson’s case, it meant to a dangerous, distant place that would take him away from home for months. We disciples of Jesus and Lion-livers are meant to be bridge builders, too. We’re meant to connect people with the heart of God and connect them with the understanding of who they truly are. But in order to do that we’ve also got to get outside our comfort zones.
Patterson responded to his wife with a great line: “What better job in all the world than (to) build a bridge. Bringing land over water. Bringing worlds together.”
Bridge building is an opportunity to link worlds — through friendship, compassion, service, and love, we too can link nations and connect hearts. But it’s hard work, over time, in wild terrain. As Patterson, in the movie, gained a newfound respect for and understanding of the daunting challenge ahead of him after finally getting on the ground, he said, “Africa changes everything I plan… For when this bridge is finished, it’ll have nothing to do with my skills and everything to do with my stubbornness.”
Bridge builders need a little bit of holy stubbornness. We will face frustration and even failure, but getting up and dusting ourselves off is how we show ourselves strong, resolute, and determined. That’s the Lion move: completing the task no matter how much discomfort or resistance we face is what honors God the most
This past week I helped officiate the wedding of our Zambian Lion and son, Jack, and his bride Anastasia. It was an honor and a joy. Jack and Ana are also building a bridge. Two lives, two separate histories, becoming one shared adventure. They will have to put in the work, and I know they will. It will require holy stubbornness too! But a successful marriage and a lifetime of side-by-side partnership is a worthy endeavor! We’re excited to see all that they will become and do together!
Our mentor and model, Jesus was the ultimate bridge builder, stretching out His arms on the cross to reconcile earth to heaven, God to man. He was fierce, resolute, unmovable, and completely determined to finish the mission. And when He did, He connected us all to unstoppable love and the possibility of eternity!
Build a bridge this week, lion. Figure out a worthy cause.
Decide to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
\Work on that difficult but important relationship.
Leave your comfort zone to serve another.
Activate your holy stubbornness, go all in, and get the job done!