Blessed weekend
O the joy of rest.
Please partake of rest sometime soon.
Here’s today’s nougat.
Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the laws of Christ. Galatians 6.2
The easy part of burden bearing for many of us as Christians occurs when WE are the burden bearers. Some really enjoy doing so, as if it were their divine calling; others not so much; and still others with a bit of a grumble – but usually we take that responsibility.
What about when the shoe is on the other foot? When we are obliged to share our burdens with others? Do we find it to be as easy? Probably not. In fact, despite our innocent motives helping others, we might find ourselves questioning the motives of others, making (sometimes correct) assumptions which denies the other the opportunity to serve.
But if we aren’t willing to receive help from our own, what are we saying about ourselves, about Christ? It is far better to give than to receive, but who will receive in a crisis if everyone is only giving? What blessings do we forfeit when we disallow others from sharing our burdens?
In some instances, the person we avoid most when we are burdened is Jesus Christ. We’ve been burned by life; we fear disappointment; we’ve convinced ourselves that God is busy with the world … and we miss the opportunity to experience true rest by going to him whenever we’re tired and heavy laden. We miss the opportunity to prove that his yoke is easy and that his burden is light. We miss the opportunity to experience Christ’s love up close and personal.
Are you tired and heavy laden? Bearing one’s own burden isn’t fashionable anymore.
Ready to rest?
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
