Bridge Builders

By Dwaine Dunning

[Page 93]

     Several passages of scripture call for special blessings upon the one who "repairs the breach." The history of Christendom shows that such individuals have been few in number; for every person of large heart and imagination who strives for unity, there may be dozens, or hundreds, who make havoc of unity.

     Occasionally, however, there is a man who stands in the breach, a "bridge-builder" between righteous folk who are truly separated. Division always comes through human agency, and unity can come only through human agents. Therefore there must be those who stand in the breach, the bridge-builders, men whose

[Page 94]

personalities are such that they can appeal effectively to divided brethren and get them to thinking in increasing sorrow and contrition about their divided state.

     But such individuals are in grave need of help and support. The nature of this assistance is suggested by a comparison with the cantilever bridge.

     The span which actually bridges the gulf in the cantilever structure rests its weight upon other spans, which in turn are set on piers which go down to bedrock. The bridge itself does not actually rest upon the piers and it would collapse without those sections upon which it rests.

     So in the task of re-uniting separated brethren, some individuals in their own persons have the gifts or talents to span the gulf, reaching from one distinguishable group to another in Christian love. Yet without the prayerful support of other brethren undergirding their work with that faith which is founded upon the Solid Rock, their ministry of reconciliation could accomplish little. The cares and trials which Satan guarantees to such individuals would ensure their collapse! Behind them and beneath them, however, supporting and sustaining them, is the united strength and power of others who may not be as articulate or effective in speech or personality, but whose solid "weight" of influence, not only with God but with the brethren who in their own personalities constitute the bridge, help to establish communication and communion, reaching out with hands of love from brother to brother, proving again that it is indeed a precious anointing with the oil of gladness for "brethren to dwell together in unity."

     Some of the gulfs to be spanned are real. Some exist only in disordered spiritual imagination. However, in both cases the need is great for bridge-builders. Let us recognize that the task belongs to all of us. It is thrilling to realize that the blessing need not be restricted to a few; all of us can "stand in the breach."