Bridges
1 Peter 4:17
"And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever."
Reflection by Donna Schaper
Eternal life is a scary concept. Consider all the laundry, dishes, dusting that could involve. Consider the arthritis or the love handles or the varicose veins. Also consider what it would mean to live unafraid of dying as a body and living on as a spirit.
Some of you may know the Tappan Zee Bridge that spans the Hudson River between the storied town of Sleepy Hollow and the bustle of Nyack, New York. It was built to last 50 years and has now lasted 56. A new bridge is being proposed at the cost of $5 billion. It will cost $150 million to tear the old bridge down. A creative idea has occurred to New Yorkers: a Tappan Zee Greenway. Why not keep the old bridge up, next to the new bridge, as a walking, biking span?
I like this approach to eternal life. Like bridges, we keep on living, but our function changes. It is no longer to stay young, while using cars and oil. We become immortal, but stronger legs bike us. Imagine the lettuce, corn, and compost that would thrive when roads are no longer buried in concrete. Imagine being old with dignity and pride.
Eternals know that change is a constant. We know the power of imagination and spirit in a world of concrete and cars. Bodies diminish, but bridges between Nyack and Sleepy Hollow—and life and death—last.
Prayer
When we have the shiver and quiver of death in our hearts, bridge us, O God, to immortality. Show us a way for the spirit to thrive. Amen.
1 Peter 4:17
"And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever."
Reflection by Donna Schaper
Eternal life is a scary concept. Consider all the laundry, dishes, dusting that could involve. Consider the arthritis or the love handles or the varicose veins. Also consider what it would mean to live unafraid of dying as a body and living on as a spirit.
Some of you may know the Tappan Zee Bridge that spans the Hudson River between the storied town of Sleepy Hollow and the bustle of Nyack, New York. It was built to last 50 years and has now lasted 56. A new bridge is being proposed at the cost of $5 billion. It will cost $150 million to tear the old bridge down. A creative idea has occurred to New Yorkers: a Tappan Zee Greenway. Why not keep the old bridge up, next to the new bridge, as a walking, biking span?
I like this approach to eternal life. Like bridges, we keep on living, but our function changes. It is no longer to stay young, while using cars and oil. We become immortal, but stronger legs bike us. Imagine the lettuce, corn, and compost that would thrive when roads are no longer buried in concrete. Imagine being old with dignity and pride.
Eternals know that change is a constant. We know the power of imagination and spirit in a world of concrete and cars. Bodies diminish, but bridges between Nyack and Sleepy Hollow—and life and death—last.
Prayer
When we have the shiver and quiver of death in our hearts, bridge us, O God, to immortality. Show us a way for the spirit to thrive. Amen.
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