"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.… Each one should test his own actions.… each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:2-5 NIV
Thoughts for Today
As we lean on God, he often answers our prayers through other people. He calls Christians to lean on each other.
Although independence is not always admirable, interdependence is a biblical principle that carries the idea of mutual dependency.
There are times when you need to lean on others, allowing them to demonstrate God's love by helping you through a difficult time. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a step of reaching out for one of God's provisions for you—the Christian community.
Consider this…
It is important to recognize that there is a difference between leaning on others and using them. (Also a difference between helping others and allowing them to use you.)
We are to carry each other's burdens, but we are also to carry our own load. Carrying our own load means taking personal responsibility. It is a matter of finding the right balance. These verses describe that kind of balance: "Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out." 1 Thessalonians 5:13-15 MSG
Prayer…
Father, help me not to be too proud to ask others for help. Also, help me never to take advantage of other people's willingness to give. Teach us to find the right balance in leaning on each other. In Jesus' name …
5 comments:
This sort of continues the theme we saw in Phil 2 where each of us should look not only to our own interest but also to the interest of others. I guess if you really think about it, it is almost completely about others. Jesus said in Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.... So it is pretty clear eh?
cas
A great reminder of the need for servant leadership. Does each of us have relationships in place that allow this serving and sharing to occur? If not, then that would be a huge step for prayer and action. To actually engage with others on a deep enough level to know their needs, share your own, and leverage your resources to bless them.
er
ER, I agree totally with your comment. Good challenge. It's a challenge to me to initiate and maintain those ties that would allow me to be automatic with the serving and the blessing to occur.
I let so many things like pride and selfishness get in the way.
God has an opportunity for me to serve my wife and family while she has knee surgery in two weeks. It's been great to hear how friends and family have responded with offers of meals and running Shelley to rehab.
It's also a challenge for me to use this time as an opportunity with my kids to teach them about serving. Please pray that I dont take the easy way out and do everything on my own.
Several of you guys on this blog I consider some of my closest friends and I do thank God for you and your families often.
What kind of surgery is she having on her knee? I will pray for this opportunity.
Blessings,
er
ER, she's having knee replacement surgery to repair the damage from suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis over the last 18-19 years.
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