He First Loved Us.
February 7, 2024
My wife and I traveled a route that took us by as many covered bridges as we could fit into our New England trip. I believe we stopped and photographed around eight or nine bridges. I can’t remember, but this bridge was likely in New Hampshire or Vermont.
Even though I worked as a civil engineer I didn’t know much about covered bridges other than I loved looking at them. My wife and I stopped at each bridge, walked through them to admire the construction and scenery.
Have you ever wondered why covered bridges are covered?
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Here are some reasons people give for the covering of bridges.
- To sooth skittish horses, mules, or other farm animals.
- To keep snow off the bridge.
- To keep the planks from getting slippery.
- To provide shelter in storms.
- To provide a place to court your lady and give her a secret kiss (thus the nickname Kissing Bridge).
All good guesses. I thought a couple of those were reasonable reasons. And, I guess, they are good secondary benefits of a cover, but they are not the primary reason bridges are covered.
Covered bridges are primarily covered to protect the wooden trusses and deck from the elements. This gives the bridge a longer lifespan. True covered bridges are made of wood and while wood is one of the most inexpensive materials to build bridges, it also has the shortest life. Uncovered wooden bridges have a lifespan of about twenty years, while covered bridges can last up to 100 years.[1]
We can ask a similar question about why we should love God.
Some may say we should love God so we can get into heaven, or because it’s the right thing to do. Or maybe we think we should love God as protection from going to hell. We may even decide we’ll try to love God because someone we admire loves God.
Some of those are good secondary benefits, but I don’t believe they are primary reason.
John talks about love in 1 John.
“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, NASB)
The book of 1 John tells us all about God’s love. God is love. (vv. 8 and 16) He loved us even when we didn’t love Him. (v. 10) God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us. (v. 10) We should love each other because He loved us. (v. 11) He remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. (v. 12)
The only proper response to a God who is love, who loved us before we loved Him, who sent His Son to die for us, and whose love remains in us, perfecting His love in us—is to love Him back.
I pray that as you recognize God’s infinite love for you, that you will choose to love Him back by placing Him first in your life.
[1] https://www.bustamanteengineers.com/why-are-covered-bridges-covered
Amen, from a girl who grew up in Iowa’s Madison County, home of several covered bridges and the annual Covered Bridge Festival every October.
Thanks, Joy! Very cool!
Interesting facts about covered bridges! Amazing they could last 100 years just by being covered. Our children’s church is learning that verse right now and since I am scheduled to work in there Sunday, I’ve been sent the video with the hand signs for that verse. It’s a cool verse to sign:)
Oh I bet. Maybe you could video yourself doing g it for your blog sometime.
Oregon has a few covered bridges to visit…I love the look of them. I am so blessed to love God who chose to love me when I was still filthy in sin. Yes, He loved us first, so thankful for that.
Yes, Teresa. Covered bridges feel so nostalgic. So blessed to have a Savior that loved us first.
Thank you for your post, Tim. I’m grateful for God’s love and all that means. And I’m thankful He accepts me and the love I show for Him.
Thank you, Joni.