Service Day 1: Bearing the Burden by Tia Wright

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
                                                                                                                              – Galatians 6:2

Have you ever seen someone carrying a really heavy box through a door? They’re all red faced and sweaty, straining from the weight, and at the same time trying to do the one-handed-one-foot-door-opening technique. What’s your first reaction? To point and laugh? Stand back and watch – maybe give a few directional pointers, “A little to the left, a little more to the right.” No. Most people will stop what they are doing and help open the door, or help carry the box.
Now, what do you do when you see someone struggling with addiction? With unemployment? With faith? All too often, whether through our own fear, pride, or personal burdens, we become paralyzed with excuses when it comes to helping with those deeper burdens. “It’s none of my business.” “I’m just one person, what am I supposed to do?” “All they want is a handout.”
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Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Each one of us has been given a strength from God. It could be spiritual strength, financial strength, physical strength, or the strength of having “been there, done that, and survived”. By bearing someone’s burden, we help them catch their breath, recover, and regain their own strength and ability to move further down the path. When we use our strengths to help others, we are fulfilling Christ’s law – we are doing the work of God.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray you give me the eyes to recognize the burden of another, and the strength to help them bear it. -Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: If not you – who? If not now – when?
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written by Tia Wright

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