In a world that often feels divided and hurried, it can be easy to feel powerless to make a difference in our own communities. Yet, Scripture offers timeless guidance on how each of us can have a meaningful impact. Jesus calls his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16). Salt preserves, seasons, and enhances the goodness around it. Light illuminates the darkness, making the way clear and showing what is true. Both metaphors speak to a life lived in active, positive engagement with the world.

Paul adds another layer in Galatians 5, describing temperance—self-control—as a fruit of the Spirit. Temperance is more than personal discipline; it is the spiritual steadiness that allows us to engage others with patience, compassion, and calm. It gives us the ability to stand in the midst of disagreement or tension without being swept away by anger or fear.

Taken together, these teachings offer a blueprint for being a bridge builder in Springfield—or anywhere.

• Salt: Preserve what is good in our city—our relationships, civic trust, and traditions—while gently addressing what needs healing.
• Light: Shine clarity, understanding, and hope where confusion, fear, or prejudice may lurk.
• Temperance: Approach every conversation and interaction with balance and self-control, creating space for others to be heard and understood.

Being a bridge builder is not about taking sides or dominating conversations. It’s about embodying the presence of Christ in the community—someone who can hold space between divides, restore dialogue, and help build a more harmonious city.

In Springfield, we are each called to preserve the good, illuminate the path forward, and practice the Spirit’s fruit of temperance. Every act of kindness, every thoughtful conversation, every effort to understand someone different from ourselves adds a layer of light and salt to the life of our community.

Together, we can make Springfield a place where bridges are built, divisions are softened, and the fruits of the Spirit are visible in daily life.