I've heard tell that those who design bridges follow a muse; far more than a profession, even more than a calling, it's a ministry, keeping travelers safe through the work of the heart, and creating a thing of beauty withal.
Does that go away in Heaven? Is the engineer given (as a prominent TV pastor once said about the hereafter) a robe and a key to their room (why a key?), and, presumably, a choir practice schedule?
Is Heaven like that old Soviet joke...
Ivan: 'Come the revolution, you will eat strawberries and cream for every meal!'
Dmitri: 'But I don't like strawberries and cream.'
Ivan: 'Come the revolution, you will eat strawberries and cream and YOU WILL LIKE IT.'
Somehow, I think not.
Bridges made of concrete,
and bridges make of steel;
if bridges are heart's chosen meat,
then might God make a meal
of bridges He would order built
across Heaven's great rivers,
made of rainbows, limned in gilt,
'cross which AngelZon delivers
the joyous things each saint desires
in good shape and in perfect time
on new whitewalled celestial tires,
with no extra cost for Prime.
The love of bridge design on Earth
is the profession's Heaven-birth.
The Five Minute Friday prompt this week is REPLACE. Accept no substitute.
There's one thing God can't replace,
one thing that unto death He's true,
the living mirror of His face,
the image that is up to you.
You can choose to scratch the glass,
or not clean off the shaving soap
(which really shows a lack of class)
but even villains cannot hope
to break the thing to spiky shards,
for it will leap to grow again
and leave them hoist on their petards
to contemplate what doth remain,
that is like koan in Zen,
a God who won't give up on them.
Just four minutes...now!
Music from Jesus Jones, with Right Here Right Now
Sylvia just hopes someone's Heaven ministry is the making of ice cream.
One day, we will see Him face-to-face, Andrew...until then, we will love Him, delight in Him, and receive the truth that He loves us and delights in us. Aww such great LOVE!
ReplyDeleteLisa, indeed, such great love!
DeleteWow! What great thoughts. I had never thought about whether we would take the skills we have now and use them in Heaven. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBeth, thank YOU.
Delete'Why a key?' is an excellent observation, Andrew. Why indeed?
ReplyDeleteYeah, Linda, keys in Heaven... wassup wit dat?
DeleteI am most grateful for a God who has never given up on me. His grace and mercy towards me is both humbling and astounding. And something I don't take for granted nor forget. Such amazing love He has for us.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, as I write this I am on the back end of an awful night, when a metastasis finally broke a bone.
DeleteAnd still, I know, God is present.
Amen! He is ever present with you, Andrew, and always will be!
DeleteSo interesting to ponder what we'll do in heaven - and I feel like we'll be able to do the things that God has gifted us to do, but perfectly. (But why would we need a key? Hmmm.) Very thankful for a God that hasn't given up on me or any of my loved ones.
ReplyDeleteKym, yeah, I think that what God gave us here, it won't be wasted.
DeleteConcerned about the locksmiths, though.
Loving the word picture you painted of heavenly bridges "He would order built across Heaven's great rivers, made of rainbows, limned in gilt,"
ReplyDeleteGrams, I am delighted that you enjoyed this!
DeleteGlad you're still here. Life is sure an adventure, and you understand that. Blessings, always, abundantly, and forever. Your friend, Norma
ReplyDeleteMy dear Norma, just last night was a warning that all good things end...a metastatic tumour broke a bone.
DeleteNonetheless, I am here.
Bridges are such an interesting concept to ponder. They fascinate me and a multitude of others. Thank you for reminding me that they’re not built only for function and design, but for the safety of travelers trying to get to the other side. Bless you and yours. Lisa
ReplyDeleteLisa, thank you for this.
DeleteI have known some bridge designers, and their commitment was both temporal and spiritual.
Your poetry is a gift!
ReplyDeleteCindy, thank you so much!
DeleteAndrew, both of these poems speak to me. I love bridges—the physical concrete kind and the kind that are built between human hearts. Your thoughts about how God might use skills He's given us here are interesting. And I LOVE the truth that God never gives up on His kids.
ReplyDeleteI'm continuing to pray for you and Barb, my friend.
Jeanne, you've sent me pictures of forgotten bridges that you've rediscovered...and they remain in my heart.
Delete