A bridge is more than a crossing

By Klaus Döring

The Life Bridge is a metaphor for bridging your gratitude for the present and your dreams for the future. In the language of the author, it is a bridge between your heart and your cloud (your dreams for the future).

If we think of a bridge, not as a structure or system, but as a service, we will start to develop ideas to improve the lives and livelihoods of people.

A bridge often provides a quicker, easier way to travel from A to B. This is clearly a good thing if it means people get better access to education and employment. Improved transport connections are routes to prosperity for areas of deprivation, creating economic corridors and helping to rebalance economic growth.

When you’re not sure whether friends have surrendered their lives to Christ yet, this is a great way to help them make that decision.

Usually, we are all bridge builders throughout our whole lives. I am not talking about the raised platform on a ship or a bridge mounting for false teeth or, as in the bony part of the nose. I am talking about spiritual bridges establishing connections between us and other people, or between God and us.

Another elementary example is the “birthday bridge,” or the turn of the new year, that takes us from the old into a new period of life. A very important bridge in life takes people to me and me to people. It does not matter if our skin is black or white, if we are rich or poor, man or woman, sad or happy.

So obvious in our daily lives is that we might even forget simple things easily. Self-esteem, respect and freedom from anxiety are the necessary and conclusive foundations for this kind of bridge.

Small but important bridges every day — how easily are they to be built: gestures of love, like a medicine; a handshake together with commendation and praise; encouraging words; a warm smile instead of a superficial “How are you?” and the expected “Fine” or “OKAY LANG!”

Allow me to say it clearly and directly, to the point: Separations result from crumbled bridges or bridges fit for demolition.

Destroyed spiritual bridges can be found at any corner. Look into your neighborhood, or don’t drive away and repress this topic in your family. Insignificant trifling matters, minor arguing and misinterpretations result in silence — and after the destroyed bridge follows an invincible wall, not only between estates but also in the hearts and minds of stubborn human beings.

I was born and grew up with my parents in a parish house. Up to the time of my active performances — among many other things — I learned this:

“Build your own bridge to God and never doubt Him. Always remember His promise. When a rainbow appears, it confirms His proximity and neighborhood and His faith. God’s unique bridge, a rainbow, is always there and durable, long-lasting and solid. The main bridge, which affords passage to God, is the institution ‘church.’”

***

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter), or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.