It Takes a Village

There are times in our life that there are burdens that come our way and they are absolutely crushing.

The pressure seems way too much for us to bear alone. It’s as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders, and you don’t have enough strength to carry your load. You might even feel if someone doesn’t come and crawl underneath your load and lift if off your shoulders–you are literally going to break in half. It is so intense.

Remember when Jesus was carrying His cross?

Actually He was carrying our cross. The weight was so intense, that they pulled in a man named Simon the Cyrene to help Him carry our cross up. If not for Simon, Jesus would not have been able to make it up the hill to Calvary.

There are times in your life that if people do not come alongside of you, and get underneath the weight of your burden, a load that is so excessive, or get a little breathing room–you’re not going to make it. There are some mornings when you can’t get out of bed because the pressure is too intense.

These kind of burdens come in all different forms. There’s burdens when you experience the death of a loved one. Sometimes sickness comes along in the form of a devastating report of bad news. Sometimes the crisis’ is in your home. Sometimes your husband or wife walks out. Sometimes your kids are out of control. Sometimes you have a financial crisis.

It takes a village of people to come alongside and help. If it wasn’t for someone coming alongside to help and comfort you–you might not be able to make it.

That’s why it’s so important for you (and I) to be connected to a ministry, because we need each other. God doesn’t expect you (or I) to go through these horrible times alone. God’s answer to the body of Christ is each other. There is no need for you to break your back.

Galatians 6:2 says,

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load (NIV).”

You might be carrying a boulder that’s too heavy for you, but your brothers and sisters can shoulder that boulder. Next week, you’ll learn more how to carry your own burden. This week, ask yourself if there’s a load you can help a friend carry to lighten his or her load!