Click here to watch my video reflection on our text for today, or keep reading for my written reflections: 

Today’s reading is from Galatians 6: 1-10:

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads.  6 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.  7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

Today’s reading shows us a wonderful way that we should be seeking to live our lives together.  First, we see verse 2 – bear each other’s burdens.  But then, look at verse 5 0 all must carry their own loads, or as I’ve heard it put before, bear their own burdens.  

Well, which is it?  I am to bear my burdens, or bear your burdens?  

Yes.  Yes, I am.  I am to bear my burdens, I am to take care of the needs of my family and those for who I am responsible. I am to work to make sure that we are taken care of emotionally, financially, spiritually. That is what I’m supposed to do. 

Why?  So that I can help you bear your burdens.  If I am not in a place where my needs are taken care of, how can I possibly help you with yours? I am to bear my burdens so that I can help you to bear yours.  

You are to bear your burdens so that at that time, you can help me bear mine. We bear our own burdens so that we can bear each other’s burdens.  We don’t exist for ourselves, we don’t live for ourselves, we live for each other.  As the text tells us today, let us work for the good of each other, especially those of the family of faith. 

We bear our burdens so that we can bear each other’s burdens.  May we be faithful with what God has given to us so that we can truly love and look after each other.  

Tomorrow, we’ll look at Galatians 6: 11-18.  

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