A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Wednesday,
April 21,
2021
Crook Point
Bascule Bridge, Providence, RI
(Click for larger version on Wikipedia)
"A
Lesson From A 'Stuck Up' Bridge"
Message
summary: Today we urge you to heed the words
of our daily Scripture.
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).
"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).
Along
I-195 between Providence and East Providence RI
you pass the Crook Point Bascule Bridge. It has
been stuck in the open position since 1976, the
year we were married. When the rail line was
closed the bridge was left in the open position
for boats to pass under. It always grabs my
attention when I pass it and when we returned from
the Cape this last weekend I told Brooksyne, who
was sitting in the passenger seat, to snap a
photo. It is one of several quirky Rhode Island
sites, including the big blue bug we passed a few
minutes later along I-95, one of Ester's favorite
sightings when we lived in the area.
The
bridge has become somewhat a local icon of urban
decay and has a nickname as the
"Stuck-Up Bridge". However I read there are plans
to demolish the bridge in the next several years
which is facing opposition from many local
residents. To tell you the truth I think I would
miss seeing that bridge when we are up that way!
Today
let us consider a lesson from the "stuck up"
Bascule bridge, but apply it to people. The
dictionary defines "stuck up" as "snobbish,
conceited; believing oneself to be better than
others; haughty; arrogant or egotistical." So we
would say a stuck up person is someone who is
snobbish, who thinks and acts like he or she is
better or superior to everyone else. We've all met
people who are stuck up.
Brooksyne
and I still recall being recipients of some "stuck
up" people when we were in Bible College (where
the terminally naive might think no one would ever
be stuck up!) In our sophomore year we were
assigned to be co-workers with two other couples
at a small church (we called them out-stations).
They came from more affluent backgrounds whereas
Brooksyne and I were both
from working class families, though we're
uncertain as to why they chose to be so aloof in
our working relationship. Sadly,
they conveyed a very stuck up attitude the entire
semester so our nearly twenty mile commute was
somewhat icy since they preferred not to converse
with us. It was hurtful and we both remember the
uncomfortable experience to this day. Hopefully
their attitude changed before they entered
vocational ministry, if they ever did.
Our
daily text should be memorized and heeded by every
follower of Christ. Today we shared of being on
the receiving side of stuck up people but frankly
I am aware there have been times I have been on
the other side as well.
The
online preceptaustin.org study site has this note
regarding today’s text, A right estimate of
oneself will always be:
- a humble estimate (Galatians
6:3-5);
- a recognition that, in ourselves, we can do nothing (John 15:5),
- but that in Christ we can be used to the glory of God (John 15:8).
"For through the grace given to me
I say to everyone among you not to think more
highly of himself than he ought to think." In
context Paul is addressing one’s attitude toward
spiritual gifts but the principle of how we are to
view ourselves surely applies more broadly. He
wants us not to consider our gift to be of greater
value than another saint’s gift but to have a
humble attitude. Humility is a virtue that all
believers should desire. It’s also a virtue that
will disappear once you boast that you have it.
Humility means putting Jesus first, others second,
and yourself last (“J.O.Y.” is Jesus, then Others,
and finally You). Humility is a lack of
pre-occupation with self.
Paul further challenges his readers to think "so as to have sound judgment". This means literally to be of sound mind. The idea is to to keep one’s mind safe and sound or to be in one’s right mind. To think of one’s self soberly, put a moderate estimate on one’s self, curb one’s passions. It means to be able to reason and think properly in a sane manner. We must have understanding about practical matters and thus we will act sensibly.
Paul further challenges his readers to think "so as to have sound judgment". This means literally to be of sound mind. The idea is to to keep one’s mind safe and sound or to be in one’s right mind. To think of one’s self soberly, put a moderate estimate on one’s self, curb one’s passions. It means to be able to reason and think properly in a sane manner. We must have understanding about practical matters and thus we will act sensibly.
"As God has allotted to each a measure of faith." God allots this measure of faith as He determines. We are gifted differently.
Today we urge you to heed these words of Scripture: "For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
we know that in ourselves we are nothing, but in
You, we are made complete. Our identity is found
in Christ and that is the basis of our self-worth
making us valuable and capable of worthy service
through Christ who dwells within us. Help us not
to be consumed with thoughts of how others view
us, but to think soberly with good judgment so
that we do not look to the wrong source for
approval or imitate that which deglorifies Christ.
Help us not to think more highly of ourselves than
we ought. Instead may we always be saying and
doing that which is helpful for building others up
in Christ Jesus our Lord we pray. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
Rhode Island’s "Stuck Up
Bridge" Just Might Be Its Quirkiest
Attraction (This includes some history
and photos of the bridge)
Here's a photo Brooksyne took of
the bridge this last weekend from the
freeway.
The Big Blue Bug advertises an
extermination company and has been seen
along the highway at least since we moved to
that area in 1993.
We resumed our chaplaincy
visitation yesterday after our New England
trip with calls to Lebanon County which is
in the peak of spring beauty. This bucolic
view is on Mount Zion Road
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
Finally today:
Early this morning I was out in
our backyard and discovered a robin had made
a rather sloppy nest on top of some planters
we had stacked on a shelf behind our barn.
Seems like a very precarious place to me.
But we'll make sure and not move those
planters for the next several weeks! Later I
checked when she was away and no eggs yet.
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
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Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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