BUILD BRIDGES, DON'T BURN THEM

Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, respecting what is good in the sight of all men, if possible, so far as it depends on you, being at peace with all men...  Romans 12:17-18

An effective objective of every war is to burn bridges. To keep the enemy from being able to unite, or to get where he wants to go, is always a plus. Even in Iran today, this is a consideration by our armed forces.

On a smaller scale--but just as harmful--is the destruction of the bridges that join two people. Whether friends or family, factory workers or wanderers, the crossing of two paths is always to be cherished and protected. The first encounter of two people might be for an instant or over a period of time. It might be an encouraging or a discouraging experience. But it is to be--as much as we can make it--a peaceable one.

I heard this week of someone in a row of cars on a highway getting out of his car with a ball bat and going toward the car behind him. What would that man think if he found out the next day that the person he threatened was his future boss? I have had people leave our church, only to return years later; how glad I was that the parting had been peaceful.

When Cleopas and his friend talked with Jesus, but didn't know Him on the road to Emmaus, they breathed a sigh of relief when they found out Who He was and then remembered that their last words to Him had been favorable.

A burned bridge sends up a smoke signal to the world that says: "I just made an enemy!"  

Davy L. Troxel