Years to Build. Seconds to Destroy.
NTSB drone image of Francis Scott Key Bridge and Cargo Ship Dali. Public Domain.
As I scrolled through the morning news feed on my phone early Tuesday, March 26, I was shocked to see the reports from Baltimore. At first, the posts online were few and the images seemed unreal. I thought it was footage from a planned demolition initially. Then, I wondered if it was from a movie. Tragically, it was real and soon more and more posts from news agencies and others began to propagate the feeds.
Early Tuesday morning the MV Dali cargo vessel lost power, issued a Mayday, and after recovering power too late to change course, rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. This was all caught on video and viewers observed much of the 1.6-mile bridge that carried a portion of Interstate 695 over the lower portion of the Patapsco River and outer Baltimore Harbor collapse into the water in a matter of seconds.
It was surreal.
Just a few vehicles were on the bridge at the time, but the video reveals trucks and other vehicles barely making it across prior to collapse. Tragically, a number of construction workers on the bridge plunged into the water and have lost their lives.
It did not take long for the watching world to respond. Wikipedia was updated almost immediately with all the verbs describing the details of the bridge being converted to past-tense and a “Collapsed” date provided.[1]
While many are focusing on the collapse with theories regarding blame, opinions related to rebuilding, and rightfully, the emphasis on the search for bodies in the water (sadly, the search and rescue opportunities have seemingly passed) I am reminded of a truth shared with me many years ago related to life.
Building a Bridge
I am no engineer and do not pretend to know details related to bridge construction. However, just reading the history of this particular bridge reveals things of note.
The need for what would become the Francis Scott Key Bridge was discussed in Maryland governmental committees in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
A permit to construct this bridge was issued in 1972 (replacing plans for a possible tunnel.)
The cost of building the bridge was approximately $110 million.
Construction took years and the bridge was finally opened on March 23, 1977.[2]
The bridge collapsed in a matter of seconds almost exactly 47 years after opening.
The cost to rebuild is estimated to be upward of $2 billion.[3]
It could take as little as two years or as long as fifteen years to rebuild.[4]
The grief the families of those killed in the accident is severe and will remain. We pray for them as they seek healing in this time.
For those who regularly use the I-695 span for their commutes, their lives have been disrupted (in no way am I comparing this inconvenience to what families grieving are facing.) There are warnings that the now limited access to the harbor will add to the perpetual, post-COVID supply chain issues in the nation. Baltimore city officials are doing what government officials do: seeking to provide answers, responses, and plans for the next steps while tiptoeing through the plethora of questions, accusations, and all that comes during an overly politicized election year.
Yet, as I watched the collapse of the bridge, something other than the politics and press conference questions came to mind.
The building of this span took years at great cost. There was much work done to ensure the finished product was ready and viable. Hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of man hours in construction combined to provide Baltimore with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Then…in just a moment, it was gone.
A Good Name
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1) [5]
Solomon’s Holy Spirit-inspired words here in Proverbs are a continual reminder that a name matters. While this can apply to the name a parent bestows upon a child, the principle of being a person of integrity – a person with a “good name” among others, is also true.
Warren Buffett has said what others have declared in different ways for years. Buffett’s statement regarding reputation is “It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.”[6]
As I watched the Key Bridge collapse, I thought of this. How quickly something that took years to build can be destroyed. This is true in business. It is true in sports (the Houston Astros are still suffering from their trashcan issues.) It is true in ministry, as seen in the far too many formerly revered pastors and ministerial leaders who are now known primarily for their respective “falls from grace.” (These are often the authors and pastors we no longer invite to conferences, quote in sermons, or add to our libraries.)
Remember Your Name
The warnings are clear and echo what parents have been telling their children for centuries. Be a woman or man of truth. Be a person of integrity. Let your yes be yes and your no be no (reminiscent of Matthew 5:37) and as we would tell our children “Remember your name.”
Names carry weight. A good name is chosen and is like gold. Yet, that which is like refined gold(a family name for instance) can be destroyed by one act of carelessness or corruption.
Years ago a pastor in Texas filmed some short, 30-second thought pieces for the local news. These inspiring vignettes were interesting. In one of his videos, the backdrop was ancient Rome. After the pastor gave his twenty-second message, he ended with this statement, “And that’s why people name their sons Paul and their dogs Nero.”
Point taken.
Remembering one’s name is important. A good name is a treasure. A bad name is a burden.
It takes a lifetime (or more) for a family name to be developed well. It takes but a moment for it to be destroyed.
While we must guard our steps and live in such a way as to honor the name we wear, for those who are children of God, the name we own is much more important than the ones given to us by our parents. As image-bearers of God, we are his blessed creation. For the redeemed, we are his children. Thanks be to God for the new name he has given us as sons and daughters. Thanks as well that despite our depravity, our sin, and our self-centeredness, God’s grace is sufficient. Even when we “destroy our own bridges” God’s grace offers repair, redemption, and a spiritual restoration.
A Bridge and a Name
The one who has made a way from point A (earth) to point B (eternity in heaven) is the bridge that will never collapse. Jesus is not only the one who made the way. He is the Way (see John 14:6).
The one who wears the name above all names has amazingly gifted us, the redeemed, a new name.
In the meantime, Christian, live a life that honors the name you wear. This will glorify God and be for your good (and others as well.) Remember your name.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. (Ephesians 4:1) [7]
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[1] “Francis Scott Key Bridge (Baltimore).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Mar. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Scott_Key_Bridge_(Baltimore).
[2] “Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695).” MDTA, mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/FSK.html. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
[3] Yurk, Valerie. “Officials: Baltimore Bridge Price Tag Could Be at Least $2 Billion.” Roll Call, 27 Mar. 2024, rollcall.com/2024/03/27/officials-baltimore-bridge-price-tag-could-be-at-least-2-billion/#:~:text=Federal%20officials%20told%20Maryland%20lawmakers,source%20familiar%20with%20discussions%20said.
[4] Lora, Maya, and Abigail Gruskin. “How Long Will It Take to Rebuild the Key Bridge Following Its Collapse?” Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024, www.baltimoresun.com/2024/03/27/how-long-to-rebuild-key-bridge/.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Pr 22:1). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[6] Horn, Greg. “Tarnishing Your Legacy.” Medium, Medium, 18 Jan. 2020, medium.com/@greghorn27/tarnishing-your-legacy-92183efdc227.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 4:1). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
