Cords of Strength

Bridges come in various designs depending on when they were built, for what purpose they were built, and over what span they are built. This one in Waco, TX employs steel girders along with suspension cables to support the road deck. But why have both?

Suspension cables add strength and improves reliability because the failure of a few flawed strands in the hundreds used pose very little threat of failure, whereas a single bad link or eyebar can cause failure of an entire bridge.

The idea of strength in numbers is not a new concept. In the Bible, King Solomon wrote, "A threefold cord is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12b)

Where many are together and unified, there is strength, power, surety, and accountability. This is true whether you are talking about the steel cords wrapped to form cables in a suspension bridge or in the unified power and consistency of people who work together for a common purpose.

The writer of the book of Hebrews in the Bible talks of the importance of being together. It is a source of great encouragement when we meet regularly with believers.

"Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25)

The Apostle Peter tells us what that gathering should look like...

"All of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." (1 Peter 3:8)

If we can learn to work together is unity, love, tenderness and humility through God's Spirit then we will be an unstoppable force for bridging that gap for others to cross over from a life of sin to salvation.