The physics of 'tension' is worth understanding, the science of which allow flexibility in balance with rigidity and great reduction in required materials to accomplish immense tasks. Consider a suspension bridge. Towers elevate far above the passageway carrying the load of road and cables which spread all in shifting balance across the bridge; this dance of rigidity and flexibility, engineered to move minimally as a variety of forces are applied, both regular and variable. Winds, high seas, varying traffic loads, flowing and jammed, must all be considered along with potential seismic events and other rare incidents.
Moving through life, for the observant, is lived dynamically and if building the life is done more like constructing a well engineered suspension bridge, will endure hardship, catastrophe and the host of challenges life may throw at us. Crucial to the strength of the span are the towers, rising up strong and securely fastened to the earth below. Mandatory, as well, the cables stretched from tower to tower with tension provided not only by the bridge itself, but also fastened to the earth at opposite ends.
If the towers of our lives are constructed with the integrity of character the work of our lives will serve many in need of the traverse. While the towers flex minimally, they do not submit to the forces applied, they manage them with integrity, always returning to rest fully in position. The cables themselves also stretch and twist, but fully connected to the towers manage the dynamically changing forces applied as well, and the safety of all who travel upon it, knowingly and unknowingly are ensured. It seems, with increasing measure, life bridges now fail for lack of integrity.
If we do not maintain and monitor our structure, wear and weathering quietly and seemingly unnoticed chip away in relative insignificance. All appears well, all continues to function, but the overall integrity of the bridge is starting to fail. It can remain securely fastened yet without maintenance is now at risk of collapse from forces far below what it was engineered to endure.
As I have come to see it, our lives are bridges, suspension bridges constructed to demonstrate the ability and quality of our contractors and engineers. Constructed with integrity and engineered in obedience with respect to the physics of all forces applied in tension, along with required maintenance, the bridge will stand for eternity. Noble bridges serve its people well, and can oft be taken for granted. Few fully appreciate the need and requirement of it's maintenance and care. Few fully understand the absolute power and stature of its design and designer. And few take full notice of the dynamic tension required to keep the bridge standing.
From where do we get our integrity of construction? Is our bridge truly noble and divinely constructed? Does our character stand as an integral revelation of our designer? How well maintained is our bridge? This bridge is in need of maintenance and care.
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