“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
It was a typical Texas afternoon – blistering hot. My sisters and I had decided that only a Slurpee from the 7-Eleven about a half mile away would provide the cool respite we so desperately needed from the stifling heat. Yes, we had air conditioning but that would require staying inside, which didn’t sound like a lot of fun for three little girls, 10-, 8-, and 4-years-old.
Mom was too busy to drive us to the store, but after much pleading and promises to be extra careful, she finally agreed to allow us to walk unescorted to 7-Eleven. Yay! We would walk straight down our street, out of the subdivision, then down the beaten path that crossed the yet-to-be-developed field leading directly to the 7-Eleven parking lot. No streets to cross, a wide-open space – in those days, a safe walk for kids.
We made the hot walk to 7-Eleven without mishap, walked up to the counter and selected our flavors. Slurping our slushy treasures, we began to retrace our steps home.
By the time we cleared the field and were walking on sidewalk again, our cups were empty, and we were once again feeling the heat.
We had only gone a few feet on concrete, when Becki, the youngest, dropped suddenly to the pavement. Lying flat on her back, her little face scarlet from the heat, Shellye and I knelt beside her calling her name trying to rouse her. When she finally came to, we asked her what was wrong. Her woozy answer: “I think I just took a little nap.” Nap indeed, the poor baby had had a light heat stroke.
She was too dizzy to stand, much less walk, so I grabbed her arms and Shellye grabbed her legs and we began to walk, run, drag our little sister the remaining couple of blocks to our house. We were scared to death for Becki and a little bit concerned that we might get in trouble if we had accidently killed our little sister.
Becki was the cutest little thing with big dimples and shiny blond hair. But as we bumped her little butt down the sidewalk, none of her cuteness was evident. Dead weight. The burden grew heavier every step we took– we would hoist her up again and keep moving.
Four or five houses away from ours, we started yelling for our momma and, miraculously, she heard us and came running. What a relief when momma lifted Becki into her arms and ran with her the rest of the way home. Relief that the burden of responsibility had been lifted from us. Relief that our arms could relax. Relief that Becki’s care was now in the hands of the most responsible person that we knew. Sweet relief.
Thankfully, once in the air-conditioned house, after a cool bath, cold compresses, and plenty of clear fluids, Becki was her dimpled, giggling, cute self again.
As believers, Christ followers, we are called to bear one another’s burdens. Clearly, Scripture tells us that in Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens….” Doesn’t get much plainer than that, does it?
Wait a second! Didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Yes, that is exactly what He says! Hallelujah! Great news! Lay down the heavy load! Rest for the weary!
It is easy to stop reading at the end of verse 29, but if you do, you miss the rest of Jesus words, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” We are no longer under the yoke of slavery to sin or the harsh judgments of the Law (Galatians 5:1), but we are still yoked, and we still have burdens to carry.
What does this mean for us in our daily walk with Christ?
My August 28th blog post “Daddy’s Shoes” talks about walking in lockstep with God’s Holy Spirit, that is the type of yoke that Jesus is talking about. A yoke of discipleship, a yoke of spiritual growth and maturity, walking in lockstep alongside our counselor, guide, and transformer – the Holy Spirit of God.
How well we wear the yoke will determine how well we carry the burdens.
If we are not fighting the yoke – struggling to be the one in control – trying to go our own way, if we are surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit, we will begin to see fruit of the Spirit blossoming in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).”
Look at these characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit. While each is a trait that is developed within the believer, when properly exercised the evidence of the fruit is visible and will impact every person with whom you come in contact. These are the characteristics that equip you to become burden-bearers.
What does bearing one another’s burdens have to do with fulfilling the Law of Christ? What is the Law of Christ? (Galatians 6:2)
When Jesus was asked “which is the great commandment of the Law?” He spoke now familiar words that are often quoted, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
In John 13:35, Jesus says that people will know that you are His disciples if you have love for one another.
This is the Law of Christ:
Loving God with all your being and loving your neighbor as yourself.
When you are a burden-bearer you are showing love to your neighbor.
Does that mean that we are to take on all the burdens of others? Are we supposed to solve the problems, bind the wounds, heal the brokenness, and take on the responsibility for resolving the issue?
Friend, listen well. We are not told to take the burden away from the other person. We are to be helpers in carrying the burden – temporary relief – encouragement – hand-holding – wise counsel – prayer warriors on behalf of others. You are not called to be the dumping site for other people’s burdens and problems. You are not the fixer. You are not to take ownership of someone else’s burden. To do so is to rob that person of the lesson of growth that God’s Holy Spirit is working in that person to teach them.
“For each will have to bear his own load.” Galatians 6:5
Burdens, challenges, problems of life, even tragedies, are all opportunities to lean in closer to the One Who is the Ultimate Burden Bearer.
Even though we are instructed to be burden-bearers – that is we are to bear one another’s burdens – it does not relieve the ultimate responsibility of the burden-owner. In the end that person is responsible and will be held accountable for their handling of the burden, not you.
My sister and I were burden bearers when we picked up our little sister and ran for help. We were limited in our ability to give her the help that she needed, but we knew where to find the person that could provide the help that she required. We knew that if we could get her to our mom, everything would be okay – mom would know what to do. Our job was to get Becki to Mom.
God will not hold you responsible for not solving another person’s problem (burden) – unless God has given you the resources and instructions to do so. You will be held accountable for how you handled the responsibility of being a burden bearer.
Did you use the resources with which God has equipped you to render the support that God wanted you to provide?
Did you show the love of God for that person as you had opportunity and ability?
Did you point that person to the One who holds all the answers, the Great Healer, the Savior, Jesus Christ, Who demonstrated on the cross that He was the ultimate Bearer of Our Burdens?
Are you willing to be used by God …willing to love enough to be a burden-bearer?
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29