Just Like That!

Isn't it amazing how one word, one smile, a thought, song, a scene from a movie, or a familiar fragrance can turn a bad day, week, or month into a good one? I don't know about you, but I have the obnoxious habit of caring about people. Pastors are burden bearer's and I come by it honestly. Both of my parents have high mercy gifts. There's nothing wrong with caring about others. It's an admirable trait. However, when you become overwhelmed and consumed with the failures, disappointments, heartaches and problems of others, in addition to your own, you can drown. My Mom is always good at reminding me that, "you are not responsible for the response, or actions of others."

Recently I've struggled under the weight of bearing the burdens of others. Some of these burdens have been due to poor decisions and life choices, and other heavy hearts have been through no fault of their own. I've discovered that a heavy heart is a heavy heart regardless who or what is responsible.

I'm not a well of compassion, but sometimes I really wish I didn't care. It would make life much easier if I just focused on me instead of those around me. I really do envy people who can do that even though it's not exactly admirable. Recently I ran into a friend as she was entering her workplace. I could tell she had been crying. I spoke to her, but didn't want to upset her even more so I opted to send her an email later. All night I thought about what could've been making my friend so upset that she would cry. I even mentioned it to Teri whenI got home. I couldn't let go of my friends pain. It didn't feel good at all to see her hurting. The next day I got to spend some time with her as she shared her latest struggle. We considered some possible solutions and pretty soon we were laughing.

I was working on my laptop at a local coffee house and processing some of these concerns when my daughter surprised me. I knew she was coming home for Christmas break, but I didn't expect to see her until I got home later in the day. I was her first stop! I saw her smile and it was like oil to desert chaffed hands. Everything I was worried about suddenly seemed to slip away if only for moment. Suddenly my empty, heavy heart was full of pure joy. She became my burden-bearer without even realizing it!

Scripture says Jesus bore our burdens when He was crucified. Jesus is the ultimate burden bearer. Think about it, He was born to die. Now He didn't die to make us feel good about ourselves. He died to reconcile the world to God and bring Him glory. By dying for us, Jesus lifted the heaviest burden of all to the human heart and that is eternal separation from God.

Who would've ever believed a baby born in a borrowed manger for a craddle would bear the burdens of the world? That's crazy. It makes no sense. Exactly!

If you are a Christ-follower then like me, you are called to be a burden bearer. What better time of year to share a smile, hold a door, assist a neighbor, listen to a friend, offer a hug, drop an unexpected note or email to someone who isn't expecting it! Just like my daughter did for me, you can be a burden bearer without even realizing it. Just like that you can lighten someone's load. In Galatians 6:2, the Apostle Paul summed it up like this:

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.