Tragedy on a bridge
As a civil engineer I marvel at and enjoy observing many transportation structures perhaps not noticed by the common person. Kari’s heard my spiel numerous times about asphalt pavement and why it cracks and unravels in particular ways, and each time a cross a bridge I think of the forces of tension and compression and moments and torque and stress and strain taking place as our axles make their way across.
Last night when I arrived home we heard the sorrowful news of a bridge with multiple decks that failed in Minneapolis, toppling into the Mississippi River below, taking scores of cars with it. There is no confirmed number of injuries and fatalities so soon after the event.
When I heard about it, I immediately paused to pray for clarity and wisdom for the rescue workers, and for peace and grace for the families of loved ones lost or missing from the tragedy. And then I thought about how would blame God for allowing something like this to happen. My mind thought of Bethlehem Baptist Church and their response of love and compassion and mercy in the community in Minneapolis, and the pastoral and preaching ministry lead by John Piper, my favorite preacher and author. His clarity of thought and speech and conviction in the Gospel have illuminated my mind and soul for almost a decade now. So I ventured over to Desiring God and there I found John Piper’s commentary: Putting My Daughter to Bed Two Hours After the Bridge Collapsed.
Piper notes that right after the bridge collapsed their family was gathered for evening devotions, the text according to their predetermined plan was Luke 13:1-9. Certainly a relevant passage in light of the evening’s events. On the blog he comments:
Jesus implies that those who brought him this news thought he would say that those who died, deserved to die, and that those who didn’t die did not deserve to die. That is not what he said. He said, everyone deserves to die. And if you and I don’t repent, we too will perish. This is a stunning response. It only makes sense from a view of reality that is radically oriented on God.
All of us have sinned against God, not just against man. This is an outrage ten thousand times worse than the collapse of the 35W bridge. That any human is breathing at this minute on this planet is sheer mercy from God. God makes the sun rise and the rain fall on those who do not treasure him above all else. He causes the heart to beat and the lungs to work for millions of people who deserve his wrath. This a view of reality that desperately needs to be taught in our churches, so that we are prepared for the calamities of the world.
The meaning of the collapse of this bridge is that John Piper is a sinner and should repent or forfeit his life forever. That means I should turn from the silly preoccupations of my life and focus my mind’s attention and my heart’s affection on God and embrace Jesus Christ as my only hope for the forgiveness of my sins and for the hope of eternal life. That is God’s message in the collapse of this bridge. That is his most merciful message: there is still time to turn from sin and unbelief and destruction for those of us who live. If we could see the eternal calamity from which he is offering escape we would hear this as the most precious message in the world.
We prayed during our family devotions. Talitha (11 years old) and Noel and I prayed earnestly for the families affected by the calamity and for the others in our city. Talitha prayed “Please don’t let anyone blame God for this but give thanks that they were saved.” When I sat on her bed and tucked her in and blessed her and sang over her a few minutes ago, I said, “You know, Talitha, that was a good prayer, because when people ‘blame’ God for something, they are angry with him, and they are saying that he has done something wrong. That’s what “blame” means: accuse somebody of wrongdoing. But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand.” Talitha said, “With his pinky.” “Yes,” I said, “with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills.”
Talitha said, “Maybe he let it fall because he wanted all the people of Minneapolis to fear him.” “Yes, Talitha,” I said, “I am sure that is one of the reasons God let the bridge fall.”
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I said, “You know, Talitha, that is true whether you die in a bridge collapse, or in a car accident, or from cancer, or terrorism, or old age. God always keeps you, even when you die. So you don’t need to be afraid, do you.” “No,” she shook her head. I leaned down and kissed her. “Good night. I love you.”Tonight across the Twin Cities families are wondering if they will ever kiss a loved one good night again. Some will not. I am praying that they will find Jesus Christ to be their Rock and Refuge in these agonizing hours of uncertainty and even loss.
The note ends with Psalm 71:20: “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again.”
May God appear infinitely merciful and gracious and kind and willing to come and be the Comfort all the families in the Twin Cities need.
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