It's Tuesday, and the day is a beautiful one already. Last Saturday Doug brought us a message at the Imlack, GA Covered Bridge that has played through my mind more than once in the last few days. You see we'd ridden over there with our CMA group for a fellowship and friends ride.
It was a hot, hot and I do mean hot day. The sun blazed down from the robin's egg blue skies and cotton candy white clouds danced around in the upper wind swept atmosphere. We all were ready for some cool breeze and feeling the wind on our faces and knees so we mounted up and headed out.
The Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge aka: Imlack Covered Bridge is an amazing piece of construction, even without the fame of being the longest and oldest covered bridge in Georgia. We turned down a two lane tar and gravel road that had a sign warning us of the pavement's ending. One thing a biker hates is gravel so in many of us it struck a note of apprehension. But, the pavement didn't really end, it just got more and more narrow and uneven. It was as if they threw a patch here and there of left over pavement, right down to the bridge. There was an interesting arbor of sorts that would only allow a passenger car width to pass through onto the bridge. Yes, this bridge is still in use today as a means to cross Red Oak Creek, just as it has been for last 150 years. While we were there a late model Ford Mustang crossed over it.
The interior of the bridge is a lattice work design created by noted designer of the day Ithel Towns. Horace King is the builder of the bridge, one of many he and his sons built in Georgia, it is the last one remaining of their work using this design. Standing inside you see the lattice design clearly, the wooden hand hewn pegs and thick beams in the roof supports. It is however, marred by the painted messages of childish passersby wanting their name to remain after they'd gone.
We all inspected and marveled at the wonderful workmanship. We gathered at the opposite end of the bridge and listened as Doug brought our message. He included the history of the bridge as part of it. As often my mind does, I dwell on his messages and begin digging into the scriptures as I "chase rabbits".
I began to mediate on the strength of different types of construction, how some will last hundreds, even thousands of years, while others fall within a few years. It all begins with the design, the care with which the designer takes in testing his or her methods.
God is the ultimate designer, His creations last millions of years and some of them even renew themselves as part of their wonderful design. Man's designs have a much more limited existence. None of them are so wonderfully made, able to renew themselves.
There are so many wonders of this world, both God and man made for us all to see, while the most wonderful, strongest and the only creation that will last until the return of our Lord and Savior is a very simple bridge. It is made up of a small insignificant wood called Dogwood.
While few recognize it for the true bridge it is, the called see it as the bridge that crosses the deep cavern of Hell and leads them to the road to salvation. It's name is a simple one, The Cross.
Now go out and make this day yours!
Blessings~
Kat
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