"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2, ESV
After an intense day, I walked into our yard to get some fresh air and water the garden. What I expected to be another responsibility to care for was a moment of comfort received through God’s creation.
I inspected the spiral tendrils sprouting from the pumpkin vines. I admired how they reached out and latched onto anything around them for support, even blades of grass I considered useless weeds. In that moment I felt the sting of not having enough support; but then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, asking if I had reached out to who may be right around me and willing to offer assistance.
But the truth is, I don’t always reach out for help. Maybe you can relate?
Has someone in the past responded to your request for help with annoyance, causing you to hesitate before asking for support?
Or maybe there was a miscommunication, and the person didn’t help how you expected they would, so you didn’t feel your efforts to get support were worth it.
Or, if you are anything like me, you probably wish people could see your obvious need for help and that you didn’t have to spell it out for them every time.
But friend, how can people help you if you haven’t communicated with them that you need support? And I don’t mean you made a passive remark about how they should help. Have you asked clearly for what you need and communicated what you expect?
If you are someone who has been met with annoyance or had your request rejected, I know how risky it feels to put yourself out there again. But can I challenge you to try again? Maybe you won’t ask that same person, but is there someone that you haven’t considered who may be willing to lend you a helping hand?
For believers, this is a non-negotiable. Romans 15:1 says we who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak. Galatians 5:14 says the entire law is fulfilled in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We have been called to liberty, but not only for ourselves, but so that we can love and serve one another (Galatians 5:13).
Sometimes, we read passages like those in our key verse and are happy to oblige. We are delighted to help those around us, but we forget that we will eventually need the support of others, too. Personal weakness is inevitable in a world full of brokenness, sin, struggle, and strife. This requires that we not only humble ourselves to bear the burdens of others but also ask our brothers and sisters for support.
To fulfill the law of Christ, we cannot do it on our own. First, we need God, and God often meets our needs through His vessels—His people. May we each seek to be a little more like those tiny tendrils, reaching out to find the support waiting right around us. Let’s go beyond being willing to help others, and let’s also be willing to ask for support. And in this way, may we bear one another’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, thank you that you made your people a unified body. Each person is a particular part, with unique giftings, strengths, and vulnerabilities. No one part can work well on its own. But Lord, when we work by your design and come together, supporting and building each other up, you are greatly glorified. Forgive us when we don’t reach out for support. Show us who is right around us who can help us and give us the courage to humble ourselves and ask for their assistance. In Jesus' name, amen.
Photo Credit: ©kennangrams
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Originally published Thursday, 19 October 2023.
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