Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
This month marks one year since I moved from Hattiesburg to Laurel. It was a pretty big step, given that I had never lived alone, and I had certainly never made a big purchase like a house by myself. Over the last year, I’ve learned all kinds of grown-up things like how to use tools, how to grill burgers, and where my water shut-off valve is located in case of an emergency (that’s a good story I’ll tell y’all some other time; for now, just know that I can get to it pretty fast).
But the most valuable thing I’ve learned is what it looks like to truly bear one another’s burdens. It all started with a group of ladies who welcomed me in before I even moved here. They had been part of a small group together for a while, and when I went to hang out with them for the first time, it was instantly as if we had been friends for years.
We’ve each had our fair share of burdens. A few of us have experienced the loss of people close to us. There have been financial burdens, job burdens, and family burdens. But in each situation, it’s a little easier to walk because we know we’re not carrying the burden alone. When someone had a baby, we were there with diapers and casseroles. When the first anniversary of losing my mom rolled around, the girls sent me flowers and sweet notes of love and encouragement. When one friend was in the hospital with complications from COVID, we couldn’t visit. Sending a card wasn’t good enough. So, we gathered in the hospital parking garage to pray for her and sing worship songs over her, declaring victory and healing in Jesus’ name.
I mean, are you kidding me? What did I do to deserve friends like this? “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” It’s as if each of these women of God has Galatians 6:2 tattooed on her heart. Each one truly sees another’s burden as her own.
I did a little research on that verse. I wondered what exactly “the law of Christ” means. It’s not about Jewish ceremonial laws; Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled those on our behalf. Rather, it means “the entire body of teaching that Jesus gave and endorsed, but in a specific sense, the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself.”
Look at God. The first example of bearing one another’s burdens that came to mind for me was this group of friends. Of course. My neighbors. They are the most beautiful picture of Christ to me.
My prayer for you and me comes a little later in today’s passage: “As we have the opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” I think the girls would agree.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.