Bearing Burdens

We live in a time in America, when many believe that it is somebody's, everybody's, anybody's job except their own to carry their load.  They believe and seem to demand that someone else bear the burden of their well being.  Their mantra is "it takes a village."  And their application is self.  The village is responsible for my care and feeding.

Many would turn to the Bible for support, quoting, among other passages, Galatians 6:2, which reads, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  The village advocates would be quick to say, "See, there it is in black and white of the Scripture!"  Our burdens are to be taken care of by the community - not unlike socialism or communism.

However, there are two problems witth their interpretation of that verse.  First, it is not the village taking care of individuals, it is individuals helping to take care of each other.  It is not some taking others to raise, it is everyone taking the needs of each other in a personal and responsible way.

Second, verse two leads up to verse five, which reads, "for each one should carry their own load."  Did you catch that?  Each one should carry their own load.  Wow!  How do those two verses fit in the same letter?  They fit because God calls us to be productive and attend work for our daily needs.  But, there are times when our needs exceed our ability, when we are "over burdened."  It is then when others in the Christian Community are called to step in and lend a hand, not take over the responsibility but share in it.

When we do take the responsibility to help others who are over burdened, it can be burdensome.  Helping others overcome adversity can take a good deal of time, energy and money and wwe may feel like giving up.  But the Word says instead "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (v. 9).  Jus' Sayn.