The Flaw

In 1928, the Silver Bridge opened, spanning the Ohio River between Ohio and West Virginia. On its opening, over 10,000 people crossed the gleaming, silver-painted structure.

But tragedy struck shortly before Christmas in 1967. The bridge collapsed, sending 46 people plunging into the river below.

Why did it fall?

It wasn’t faulty materials or a collision with a ship. It was a flaw.

Unlike most bridges, such as the Golden Gate or Brooklyn Bridge, which use cables of woven wire, the Silver Bridge was constructed with eyebar chains, like a bicycle chain.

Investigators discovered the true culprit was one cracked eyebar. It grew until it finally snapped, triggering a catastrophic chain reaction.

One flaw is all it takes to start a tumble.

Judges 16 recounts the downfall of Samson. His Nazarite vow forbade cutting his hair, but Delilah wore him down until he revealed his secret. Men cut his hair as he slept, and his strength left him.

The consequences followed the flaw.

“And he awoke from his sleep and said, ‘I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the LORD had left him.” (Judges 16:20, ESV)

He didn’t know the Lord had left him.

How many people, through small neglect, set up events that sap their spiritual energies?

Examine the small things in your life, such as relationships and environments. Are they the fatal flaw in your life?