When a Bridge-and a Church-Falls Apart

On a quiet morning in June 1983, the Mianus River Bridge in Connecticut collapsed without warning. A hundred-foot section dropped out from under unsuspecting drivers. Three lives were lost. And the cause? A single, corroded support pin. Out of sight. Overlooked. But critical. When it gave way, the whole structure crumbled.

That bridge is a haunting metaphor for what Paul warns against in 1 Corinthians 11.
The Corinthian church looked strong on the surface. They had right doctrine. They loved spiritual gifts. But beneath that impressive structure, a quiet erosion had started—specifically around how they approached worship, gender roles, and God’s design for authority.

Paul’s point is simple but powerful: God’s design isn’t optional. It’s foundational. And if we ignore it—especially in how we relate to one another in marriage, family, and church—things will eventually fall apart.

Now, I get it. The moment we talk about headship, submission, or male and female roles, red flags go up. We’ve been conditioned to see those words as dangerous. But listen—this isn’t about dominance or hierarchy. It’s about reflecting something much bigger: the beauty of how God Himself relates within the Trinity.

Jesus—the Son of God, fully divine—joyfully submitted to the Father. Not because He was less. But because that’s how love works in God’s kingdom. Order doesn’t mean inequality. It means harmony.

And that’s the invitation for us: to build our worship, our relationships, our lives—not on cultural trends, but on God’s blueprint.

So here’s the challenge:

Men: Lead like Jesus. With humility, sacrifice, and courage.

Women: Embrace your God-given strength, not in silence, but in joyful, Spirit-filled submission that reflects Christ.

Church: Let our worship be clear, not confusing. Let our roles complement, not compete.
Because when Christ is the head… everything holds together.

Let’s not wait for the collapse. Let’s inspect the structure. Let’s rebuild where needed. And let’s trust that God’s design isn’t a burden—it’s the bridge to blessing.