Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Support… Such a small word, yet so versatile. In this day and age, people default to a simple ‘I’ll pray for you’ phrase. And you have to know that person very well if you want to establish that they’ll actually do it. My recent storm that God has walked me through, had me thinking about this Scripture in Galatians a lot. Particularly in the area of support. I want you to think back to a difficult season you faced. Now, I want you to imagine how you would have handled it, if in fact you had the support you needed? Quite a different image, don’t you think?
God’s royal law has ‘love’ weaved through it. It is the center piece and without it, perhaps there won’t a be law to talk about, because God is love. Then, it is no surprise that through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul asks us to carry each other’s burdens. Support…what is it actually?
Let me share with you a piece of my life. In fact, it is a huge part of my life. I have the privilege to know an amazing woman who lives across the ocean. But I am also surrounded by people who live in my town. As strange as this may sound, the support I receive that carries me the most, is from the friend living the furthest from me. It is then, when I start realizing what support actually means.
Support doesn’t always mean you have to physically be there. Support is a journey you take with that person. But it is not easily walked, if you live by the ‘survival of the fittest’ philosophy. Most people are in deep waters themselves, causing them not to reach out. You really have to have a heart for other people’s difficulties to walk this journey with them. This includes an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on (even via telephone or other communication), patience to move at their pace, a compassionate heart to understand and the ability to sacrifice your time.
I know… This sounds impossible. While in the flames of trials and tribulation, the heart cries with tears. Sometimes, clear to other people and sometimes in secret. In the case where secret tears flow, we have a Great Comforter who delights in using people to also comfort others. He will send you in the correct direction.
But what if we could change the way we support each other? What if we could leave the ‘one time’ prayers and devote time for another’s burdens? What if we could cease our attempts to share clever advice in order to impress and help with pure motives instead? What if we could truly listen? Do you perhaps think, then, we might be able to fulfill God’s royal law? Perhaps this will help us express God’s love so much better.
If you have even the slightest idea of what loneliness feels like, through trials and tribulation, it is ten times worse if you do not have the support you need. I am a firm believer that it is in fact, possible to carry each other’s burdens. It was done before! By our Lord, Jesus Christ. While pinned to a cross and in excruciating pain, Jesus does not only carry everyone’s burdens, He even finds the strength to pray a prayer of forgiveness for the ones that crucified Him. God’s love is truly unconditional.
If we could love like that and support each other…it could change the world!
Blessings!
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