Bob and I went to Costco to pick up supplies for the church. We needed bottled water. Water is heavy. I can lift the smaller packages of water I get from the grocery stores, a 24-bottle case is doable, but Costco cases are double that. I can’t lift them, and Bob is limited following his shoulder replacement to less than 20 pounds until October. So, he used his good arm and grabbed one side of a case, I grabbed the other, and between us we got the water in the cart, from the cart to the car, and from the car into the church. Neither one of us could have done it alone, but by working together we finished what we set out to do.
Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” [NIV]
Paul writes that we as spiritual believers are to help carry each other’s burdens. By doing that, we fulfill the law of Christ, which is the law of love. That is what happened when I called my friend last Thursday and broke open my heart before her. I offered up my burden and she got under the load to help me carry it. In turn, she opened her heart to me and I am praying for her.
When we listen or pray, when we respond in love, when we give a smile, hug someone or hold them as they cry, we help them to carry their burden. We may think we can do this life on our own and maybe we will even succeed for a time, but at some point, we are going to meet up with a burden that is too big, too heavy to carry alone. Bob and I could carry the water only by doing it together. When my sorrow of heart became too heavy, my friend came alongside.
Father, thank you for godly friends who are willing to help bear our burdens. Help me to also be that kind of friend to others. Amen.
