Flores Family | Tuesday | 11/10

Love Carries Burdens

Galatians 6:1–5

Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted too. ² Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are important when they aren’t, they’re fooling themselves. ⁴ Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others. ⁵ Each person will have to carry their own load.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

It's a simple instruction.

But think about what Paul is asking.

He doesn't simply tell Christians to be friendly toward one another.

He doesn't tell us to occasionally express sympathy when someone is struggling.

He tells us to carry one another's burdens.

And he says that in doing so, we fulfill the law of Christ.

What is the law of Christ?

Love.

The same love Jesus demonstrated when He entered our brokenness, bore our suffering, and gave Himself for us.

Christian love is not simply an emotion we feel toward others. It is a willingness to share the weight of their lives.

Mario and Mackenzie shared how their family has opened their home to children and young adults over the years. These relationships have become so meaningful that their own children now have older brothers who continue showing up for them.

That's a beautiful picture of burden-bearing.

Sometimes love looks like a significant sacrifice.

But other times, love looks like picking up the phone, making room at the dinner table, offering someone a ride, or remembering to check on a person who is struggling.

We cannot carry every burden for every person.

And we aren't called to solve everyone's problems.

But we can refuse to allow people to carry their burdens entirely alone.

Because that's what love does.

Reflect: 

Who in your life might be carrying a burden that you could help make a little lighter? What would it look like to share that burden this week?

Pray: 

Jesus, thank you for the love you have shown me. Teach me to love others with that same generosity. Open my eyes to the burdens people are carrying, and give me the willingness to come alongside them. Help me become someone through whom others experience your care. Amen.