Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ...

each one will have to bear his own load

Galatians 6:2 & 5, ESV

 

This passage used to seem contradictory to me. Why does it say in one moment that we are to carry one another's burdens, and then in the next that we are to bear our own loads. Was this some sort of mistranslation, or possibly even a mistake within the Scriptures? Of course the answer is a definite "No to both questions, because there is a difference between the word "burden" and the word "load". One, the word burden, implies a much larger load that is too heavy for anyone to reasonably bear on their own. The other word gives us the understanding that there are some responsibilities that we can be reasonably expected to handle without pulling somebody else away from the work that is more important for them to be involved with.

 

Understanding this important principle - that we can handle some things on our own but need help with others - will allow us to be a lot more efficient in life. There are simply times when we shouldn't ask for help because we really don't need it, while there are other times that we just can't handle things on our own.

 

One of the things I absolutely love about the region I live in is that people seem to know the difference.

 

Take the massive fires of the Panhandle of Texas that have been in the news for the past week. There have been hundreds of properties burned and thousands of people temporarily left without the most basic needs such as food and shelter. While there are numerous agencies that have stepped in and offered a great deal of assistance, it has been the everyday ordinary neighbor that has been the most help. Among the most critically needed of these have been our volunteer firefighters! They just always seem to be there when we need them most.

 

While the fires are still burning there have been people gathering food, water, and clothing, and sending it directly to the people who needed the help. We have seen semi-loads of hay being taken up to the area for the livestock. Neighbors have offered shelter not only for their neighbors, but also for their neighbor's animals. You cannot go anywhere in the town I live without hearing people asking if we have heard how our neighbors 100 miles to the north are doing. They want to know what they can do to help, and when they find out they do help. 

 

And they pray!

 

But, why would they do that? For the simple reason that they love them and recognize the fact that these folks - at least temporarily - have a burden that they need help with. And they would do the same for us if our positions were reversed. I know this is true because it hasn't been that many years ago that our small town was hit by a tornado and many of them (most of whom we did not even know) helped us.

 

And they prayed!

 

There are times of tragedy in this life that have a way of knocking us off of our feet for a while. It's nice to know that, for the most part, people mind their own business and let us tend to our own loads. But, when we need it most, it is wonderful to know that when the times of trial do come that there will always be some that are willing to rush in and lend a hand to help us with the burdens that we cannot bear on our own.

 

And it is especially nice to know that God will take care of everything else.