Bearing One Another's Burdens

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to return to my hometown for the annual Glass Festival.  Being from a small town, this annual festival ends up being a town reunion of sorts.  Many that no longer live there return to see everyone they have not seen all year or perhaps longer.  It is a wonderful time of catching up and enjoying beautiful Indiana summer days.

This year was the same but also very different.  There were three different occasions where God really spoke to my heart.  On these occurrences, this verse from Galatians kept coming to mind.  The first was while speaking to a relative that is on several committees to develop and bring commerce to the area.  You see, while I was growing up, this area was booming with manufacturing jobs but this is no longer the case.  Now it is rampant with unemployment and poverty.  It is such a sad situation because there are not many jobs close anymore.  I was able to talk to him about this somewhat and how different organizations are working to try to entice companies to locate there.  It makes your heart hurt for the people and want to do something to help.  Not being sure of what I could actually do, this verse came to mind...I can at least bear their burdens and lift this area in prayer.

The second time this verse came to mind was during the community church service that Sunday morning.  The local ministerial association hosts a community church service in the park during this festival.  It is such a blessing to attend because you are able to see many churches put away their denominational differences to come together and worship Christ - the way it should be.  Also during this service, they spoke about the local food pantry** that again all the churches come together to support.  The offering collected that morning was to go toward it.  It was awe inspiring to hear how this little town comes together to provide food, clothing, and money for utility bills for the poor.  Again, bearing one another's burdens to fulfill the law of Christ.

The final time this verse was repeated was a little later that day.  We had just purchased a wreath from a local vendor and was walking down the main aisle of the festival when another vendor came out to ask about the wreath.  She then noticed my husband and I had on our shirts with our church logo on them.  She requested prayer for her step-son that at only 32 was in stage 4 cancer with it in multiple locations throughout his body.  She was obviously distressed over the situation.  Telling us about him and how sorrowful his father was, we asked her if she would like for us to not only pray for them but with her right then.  She was very pleased with this gesture so we prayed with her and left her with a big hug as well.  Again, bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

So as I go on my week this week, I now have a new perspective.  How can I fulfill Christ's law?  He really does not expect me to lead hundreds of people to him like Billy Graham did in his crusades.  He may never call me to be a well known singer whose songs bless the hearts of thousands.  However, he does call me and all of us to bear one another's burdens to fulfill His law...pray for others, give to others, and be a little more free in handing out compassion, grace and hugs.  Try it!  It blesses all involved, and I'm fairly certain it makes God smile.

**The local food pantry is the George Morrisett Center.  If you'd like to donate to this wonderful resource for the poor of Elwood and the surrounding area, call (765) 552-5570.