Fixing Our Failing Infrastructure

It is no longer up for debate. The nation is in a certain decline, not just economically, but also physically!

Recently several governors have announced their support for the Building America's Future coalition, a public works advocacy group. The group is gaining influence, as it is backed by key state leaders like New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Pennsylvania's Ed Rendell, and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California.

The bipartisan group of governors is pushing public works as part of a potential second stimulus package geared at repairing the country's badly faltering highway and bridge system. Current estimates for fixing the infrastructure are said to exceed a trillion dollars. But proponents state that last year's bridge collapse in Minneapolis, which killed 13 people and injured 145, is only the beginning if something is not done and soon.

It is no secret that all material things begin to diminish from the moment of their creation, whether roadways or the vehicles traveling upon them. Unfortunately, the same is true of the human body. Although manufactured by God, its infrastructure eventually breaks down and dies due to the damaging effects of sin. But there is good news. The physical is but one part of man's makeup - the least important aspect, despite the heroic efforts often go into grooming and saving it.

In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul addressed this subject and states the obvious bad news, but not at the exclusion of the good. His message is geared only to the Christian and begins at verse 16. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

In Romans 8:12-21, Paul also spoke of the creation's demise, but then revealed a future redemption for the same. "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

While interesting, of far greater significance to any creating or perishing of earth's material infrastructure is the profound message of hope seen in 2 Corinthians 5:17. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation."

It will require time and massive sums to repair America's highway system. But the reconstruction of a failing and faulty human heart can be fully and instantaneously fixed freely according to the words of Acts 16:31. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."

The decision to accept Christ allows great architect of redemption's roadway to employ the believer on His sacred work crew thus allowing them to help build spiritual bridges for lost travelers.

Bill Breckenridge