March 20, 2021
Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, and will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads. —Galatians 6:2-5
Dr. Thomas Lambie (1885-1954), according to a story I recently read, was for decades a medical missionary in Africa. The area where he lived had many rapid, treacherous streams. Bridges were few, and crossings were difficult, with the risk of being swept away by the current and drowning or being dashed against the rocks. Local people had developed an ingenious solution; they would carry heavy stones when they crossed; the extra weight gave them sure footing in the streams. In one sense, the heavy loads made the crossing harder, but in another sense they made the crossing easier — in fact, in some cases they made the crossing possible.
We have no shortage of burdens in our world. Some of these are obvious to anyone who follows the news; some are on a more personal level; and some may be closely guarded secrets.
In Galatians, Paul says that we should carry each other’s burdens, but shortly afterward he says that each should carry their own. As is often the case in the Bible, we solve this apparent contradiction by the context. You probably take this passage, as I do, to mean that we should carry our burdens when possible, but that we should also be willing to help others when needed, and be willing to let them help us when needed.
Carrying a burden may require more than just effort; it often involves thought and planning (and prayer.) Likewise helping others may require more than just saying “I’m available.” Sometimes we need to summon up all our cleverness and empathy to figure out how to help. We may have to spend more time and energy in understanding what to do than in doing it. But if this heavy stone illustration is valid, it can be worth the effort.
Gracefully submitted,
David Petty