"Bridging Our Troubles"

 

“Bridging Our Troubles”

 

On April 5, 1987 a bridge on the New York Thruway (aka I-90) near Amsterdam collapsed, carrying ten people to their deaths. The incident resulted when the span’s foundations in the Schoharie Creek were compromised due to heavy rainfall. It took 14 months to complete the redesigning and rebuilding of the structure. We subsequently drove across it many times on our way to visit family in Central New York and always thought of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Schoharie Creek flows 93 miles north from the Catskill Mountains to the Mohawk River, Historically it was the site of a couple of skirmishes during the Revolutionary War. In our modern era its resources have been harnessed to provide electrical power locally and a reservoir supplying water to New York City, some 150 miles to the southeast. So it’s had an interesting and productive past but may be best known for its “troubled water” of 36 years ago.

In 1970 American folksingers and songwriters Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel released “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, which was #1 on the pop charts for ten weeks and named Song of the Year. The song is a metaphor of a person’s living through difficult circumstances. Each of us has had (or maybe has now) “troubled water” in our lives. How have we handled these struggles? Scripture identifies some resources God has provided to bring us through victoriously:

*God Himself (“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs….”—Isaiah 58:11).

*His Word (“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”—Psalm 119:105).

*His Spirit (“…When they bring you to the synagogues…do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say!”—Luke 12:11-12, NKJV).

*Prayer (“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”—John 14:14).

*His family (“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2).

The “new” Schoharie Creek Bridge has stood the test of time, weather and traffic longer than did the original one. If the “bridges” you’ve used over your “troubled water” haven’t worked out well maybe it’s time for a new one that God’s made available to you. In the words of Zophar, “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” (Job 11:15).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan