Carrying one another's burdens

Bible Reading: Mark 12: 28-34

Bharathi Baskar is a famous Pattimandram (Debate) speaker, and she told this story.  A man was very stressed and had problems in his life.  So he went seeking the advice of a Guru (Teacher).  The Guru listened to him and then asked him to bring a glass of water.  The Guru mixed two spoons of salt in it and asked the man to drink it.  The man tasted it but could not drink it because it was too salty.  Then the Guru took the man to a pond, added the same amount of salt, and asked him to drink it.  The man could drink it since the same amount of salt was mixed in the pond full of water!  Then the Guru told him his life would be less stressful if he expanded his mind!  Everyone listening to Bharathi Baskar clapped, and that was the end of her story!  But in my mind, immediately, another question popped up:  Yes, enlarging my mind will reduce stress, but how can I do it?  As I pondered, the answer that came to my mind was this:  When we carry others' burdens and pray for others, our burdens seem light!  Paul advises, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ"(Galatians 6:2).

So now, what is the law of Christ?  Jesus said, "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these"(Mark 12:30-31).  Loving God and loving others is the law of Christ!  It is not expecting others to bear our burdens.  That is self-focused and leads to frustration, discouragement, and depression.  Instead, God expects us to focus on others and bear their burdens!  Once we are burdened for others and start sincerely praying for each of them, our problems look small.  Practically, there will be no time to think of our problems!  That is my experience!  As we bear one another's burdens, we are fulfilling the simple law of Christ.  Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples …" ( John 13:34-35). 

My friend, selfishness prevents us from bearing one another's burdens and fulfilling the law of Christ.  Often, pride keeps us from ministering to others as we should because pride focuses on the self.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, let me not be selfish but humbly strive to serve others and bear their burdens to fulfill the Law of Christ.  Amen.

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