Galatians 6
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Galatians 6:2-3, Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
We have reached the final chapter of Paul's letter to the Galatians. Paul certainly emphasizes the main point of the letter, that salvation is found in the cross of Jesus and not in the law. But he also gives the Galatians some words of encouragement. He speaks of sharing one another's burdens. Notice the assumption: every single one of us has burdens and the intent is not for us to bear them alone.
There are certainly people who are resistant to sharing their concerns and burdens with others. Some are embarrassed, others are too proud, some don't want to appear needy, and others truly don't want to impose. But Scripture tells us that God wants us to share our burdens with others so that they can help us carry them. AND...God wants us to do the same for others. None of us are too important or too busy to care for our friends.
Psalm 55:22 reads, Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you... Then there are the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
Certainly, we can give our cares and burdens to the Lord. But I think part of God bearing our burdens is through other people, through the body of Christ. By God's design, our brothers and sisters in Christ can hold us up and care for us during life's hardships and us for them.
How have you experienced others' bearing your burdens? How have you carried burdens for your brothers and sisters in Christ? Spend some time today reflecting on this.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Thank you for the gift of Christian friendship. Thank you for the people you put in our lives to care for us and us for them. Help us nurture the established friendships but also be aware and open to the new people you place in our lives. In Your Name, Amen.