Bear and Share Our Backpacks

For each one shall bear his own load. ~ Galatians 6:5

The complete text of Galatians 6:1-5 refers to fellow Christians supporting each other in their faith walk through daily life by bearing one another's burdens/trespasses/temptations. However, it also says that we need to first examine ourselves and make sure we are not helping from a position of superiority or infallibility. Indeed, we need to take stock of our own burdens. I like the modern rephrasing of this text ~ we all carry our own backpacks full of our own stuff.

We can be very clear that our backpack has been defining us in self-defeating ways, but have clung on so tightly to the "known" that we can't break free to be all God intended. The Lord has been calling me to help a loved one carry his backpack. We know that it may never be emptied of its present contents but with the right weight distribution and a sharing of the burden, it will be a load that can carried over long distances, and even bear much fruit.

Lord, God, You have called us to bear one another's burdens just as Christ has done for us. I pray that with Your guidance we will figure this thing out. Give me peace, patience and discernment. Give him peace, joy and hope.