How Patient?

See the two bridges? Want to build like that? How’s your patience quota:

Living root Bridges are built in the deep valleys of East Khasi hills in central Meghalaya, Northeast India. The people of these villages (Nongriat, Laitkynshew and others) are isolated from rest of the world as these are located in a deep valleys which can only be reached by an arduous trek. Now though the situation is better as there are steps built to visit the valley. You have to descend and climb more than 2100 steps at a time. Since these valleys were inaccessible for a long time people came with this ingenious solution to cross rivers which were very full due to tremendous rainfall in the monsoon. They plant the strangler fig trees on both sides and once they grow they use guides such as bamboo poles or string for the roots to grow around them. Then in 10-15 years (mostly more), a bridge is grown. This is multi-generational effort. these bridges are extremely durable an last 5 to 6 centuries.

Have you been involved in anything that took decades, much less last centuries? Not hardly. We live in a planned-obsolescence society that builds bridges by way of the lowest bidder, though built with steel and concrete. Some have lasted longer than expected, some failed in spectacular displays.

Jesus of Nazareth built on human faith, nothing tangible at all. The foundation had been set in place by God through generations culminating with Moses when Commandments were written in stone.

Copied by scribes, lived by many, ignored by many more, Jesus parsed them down into two believable commandments:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Those who planted the trees and stretched the first roots did not do it for themselves.  They knew it would take a long time to grow, as their ancestors had done this before.

Jesus did not live for Himself. What He did was for others, totally, but He provided a bridge of Himself between us and God.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV)

Best deal around, isn’t it? For eternity, not simply centuries. How patient can we be in serving our Lord when what we build will last eternally?