Recently while coming back from travel, I crossed a bridge that caught my attention.  This was not my first time crossing but this particular time it was a little different. I could see a glimpse below of endless deep blue water. Crossing over, I pondered not only the amount of time spent on constructing this bridge but the power of this bridge. The Lord impressed this upon me as a golden sun began to disclose itself setting to the west of me.  Think about it, the laws of gravity a bridge defies. How we drive over these daily and how is it possible? How a bridge connects two obstacles together by what appears to be effortless but we know that is not the case.  As I drove, I thought of how a bridge connects and reflecting on the Apostle Paul’s words in Colossians of how he interceded for the saints of God.

The connection between bridges and the purpose of an intercessor danced in my head. An intercessor is an intermediary between a person and God.  Those that pray on behalf of someone else. They are able to connect with God in a specific way to move in circumstances and obstacles. Just like obstacles surrounding a bridge, the bridge is able to connect that which is not to that which is. As I proceeded again the thought came, how can this bridge stay in position and defy gravity. The Lord quietly whispered because it is held together by forces which makes things move but also makes things stand still.

When I picture a bridge my first thought would not necessarily be balancing force. I never would have assumed the controlling of force being a benefit when discussing bridges.

However, many benefits of bridges lead me to realize they have a greater purpose.  We don’t really pay attention to them until we are crossing one. Even then we don’t appreciate these constant structures. A bridges purpose is to connect, span over obstacles that we cannot reach apart from them, without closing the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over an obstacle-normally something that can be detrimental to cross otherwise. It connects that which is seen without distraction from what is unseen. A few examples are rivers, ravines, canyons or any other interesting gap that is too vast for us to cross alone.

Do you ever cross one and sense they have a clandestine embodiment to them? A few things about bridges. The positioning of a bridge is pertinent in connecting two specific points together. The bridge is responsible for allowing safe passage where previously it is not possible or where it is more difficult. (I know I keep saying it different ways but I want to drive that point home) A bridge that is constructed correctly has the ability to balance two main kinds of force. One type of force is compression, which is described as a pushing or squeezing that forces action inward. The other is called tension, which is described as a pulling or stretching that forces action outwardly. With these working together to bring purpose to the bridge.  Those that use the power of force to build bridges are called force balancers. Force balancers are those creating the ability of the bridge to connect obstacles to one another. I want you to think about that word for a moment, a force balancer.

I believe we have force balancers in the kingdom of God. We have those who are behind the scenes creating balance between that which squeezes or presses us and that which stretches us.  This is the duty of the Intercessor.

Friend, despite all that is going on in this world. Not much has changed since Paul informed the church of Colosse of his interceding for them. Let me ask you, who have you been assigned to intercede for? Who are you balancing the pressing and the stretching for? The strength of the intercessor is their ability to be able to consistently pray for Christ to move in a situation. When we hear or know of someone that is going through a season of being squeezed or crushed, what do we do? Do you understand your assignment or possibly what God is calling you too? Recognize you are the bridge builder in that situation. You bring balance to what appears impossible. Rejoice in the assignment that God has placed you in. You may be wondering, what does this assignment look like.  It is you standing in the gap for another person to bring them to an expected end.

One last nugget I want to point out about a bridge and how it relates to intercessory prayer. The bridge connects without closing the way underneath. Meaning it does not replace the ravine or canyon below, it just builds over it. This means the problem does not go away but the distraction is no longer there because it is covered. The bridge builder covers the problem that seems to be insurmountable making the way easier for the one who is going through. Intercessors cover others in prayer because this is what Christ has purposed them for. This is their power.

The enemy never wants us to pray for others and he definitely never wants intercession. This is where the bridge builder (you) balances the pressure, through prayer, bringing others from tribulation to crossing into victory. This is the assignment. Paul says, so we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. (Colossians 1:9) We have to stop living beneath what God has called us too. Start believing that God created you to build bridges in the spiritual realm. You were put here to connect the kingdom of God to someone. We have been placed here as believers to do the work of the Father. We are not here to just live life and reap the benefits. God has given us spiritual authority to defeat the schemes of the enemy and connect the spiritual over the natural.

I have a couple of reflection questions I want you to ask yourself. Are you functioning as a bridge builder in your sphere of influence? Are you the prayer warrior that stands in the gap to balance chaos? If you are not certain seek God and ask Him. The bridge builder takes the impossible and the possible, placing them before the Father and creates balanced changed by confident, powerful prayers. We are living in times that the body of Christ needs more bridge builders. We need to build bridges that help connect God to a fallen world, so that there can be balance. Think of someone today who may need you to stand in the gap. Begin praying for their connection to the Father and for their situation to change. So many people have been created for this very purpose but are squandering that which God created you for. If this is you it is never too late to start building.

Be Encouraged,