#BeingHuman. In the war-torn Ukraine, a growing breed of people is known as "people-bridges.” It is the most vulnerable community from any possible perspective… They are not “great again.” They do not want “to repeat.” Today, they are the bridges. Tomorrow, they are the dust… not needed anymore by their stakeholders and clients…
They are the trees that die while standing… They are the candles that burn at both ends to give light… They are the lighthouses that guide ships through the storm but are often battered and broken by the waves… They are the anvils on which the swords of justice are forged but are often worn down and dented by the process… They are the shields that protect others from harm but are often scarred and battered by the blows they receive… They are the ladders that help others climb to the top but are often kicked down once they reach their destination... They are the torches that light the way for others but are often consumed by their flame… They are the seeds that die in the ground to give birth to new life… They are the bridges that collapse under the weight of many and disappear but allow others to cross to the Cross…
The cost of living on the bridge is high. People-bridges often sacrifice their relationships, health, and well-being for the sake of the Mission that has not changed for them. They are vulnerable to the pressures of the different contexts they inhabit, local and international. They are vulnerable to the attacks of those who would see their bridges destroyed. They are accused of being traitors by both sides, of not being loyal enough to any one group. People bridges are often misunderstood. They are accused of being wishy-washy, not having an unmistakable enough identity, or not being sensitive enough to one side or the other. People-bridges live a nomadic existence, constantly being between different worlds. They are always a little their own and strangers to everyone, often even to themselves. They are considered outsiders, nomads in a world that demands conformity.
But people-bridges know that identity or sensitivity is not about conformity. It is about authenticity. It is about embracing the diversity of the broken world and finding common ground to bring it back to the Architect of Time, Space, and History despite our differences in being broken humans. And they continue to build bridges despite the obstacles that stand in their way to the Final Destination…
The Russian ongoing full-scale war against Ukraine has torn apart families, communities, and nations. It has created a deep chasm of division and distrust. But people bridges continue to build bridges amid the rubble. They are the ones who are reaching out to the victims of war, providing them with food, shelter, encouragement, and medical care while at the same time trying to fulfill "job descriptions..." People bridges are the builders of a Community of Hope, a Community where we are something more than just "becoming great again." People bridges are the hope of the future until both sides break them.
No, not one side… Both sides… Human beings break them because of their passions… God often breaks them for His Glory or any other unexplained reason… You think that people bridges are strong. But they are not. You think that they are resilient. But they are not. You think they might be driven by a deep love for humanity and justice and a desire to transform the world. Yes, maybe… But sooner, like a father figure, when you do what needs to be done regardless of your "job description…” or the feeling of love, Mission, calling, or whatever you have learned in a theological seminary or a Sunday School class… you do what needs to be done regardless of the attitude toward you… They are the ones who are showing us that another world is possible, whether you love it or not, a world where we can live together in communication and Communion.
The fate of Ukraine's people's bridges remains uncertain. Will they continue standing amidst the rubble, rebuilding connections between divided communities? Or will the immense pressure finally break them down? Only time will tell if these human bridges can withstand the powerful forces tearing their country, nation, and church apart. For now, they try to persevere in hope, though often hobbled and leaning. Perhaps one day, they will be strengthened and restored; perhaps they may be ready to serve the people who will need them again… maybe not… We believe, o, Lord, help our unbelief! Wishing you a Silent Night and Peaceful Sky, People of the Bridge.
Taras (crippled evangelical who is staying on the bridge to… whatever happens next…)
No comments:
Post a Comment