Carry each other’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2)
At first glance, when reading this title, you might be thinking I will be sharing some tips from our sport training ministry to help build up your upper body shoulder strength. Now, as much as I do enjoy this aspect of our church ministry having spent most of my life in sports, martial arts, coaching and training athletes, the shoulder strength I am talking about has nothing to do with weight lifting, but rather lifting weight.
Regardless of your age, athletic experience, physical ability, or station in life, as a child of God you have been given supernatural shoulder strength to help others in a variety of different ways. As Christians, we are called to bear one another’s burdens. We are called to let others lean on us when they are not strong. We are called to be a shoulder to cry on. We all have the perfect amount of shoulder strength to be a blessing to others in their time of need. It is God who has ordained the church to be His shoulders to help strengthen others in their time of need. Only when the entire body of Christ is engaged and working together will we be what God in Christ died to make us.
So, how has God been using your shoulders lately? Remember, this has nothing to do with ability. It has everything to do with availability. God gives the ability to all of His children to be sources of shoulder strength to others. But it is up to us to make ourselves available to be used by God for the good of others. Just think back to the last time you needed a shoulder to cry on or someone came along side of you to help you bear a particular burden. We really do need each other because God will work no needless miracle to ease a burden when He has His children to be His shoulder strength.
Take some time to consider those closest to you and how you might be able to meet some particular need. Ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the life of someone who needs your shoulder strength, and you will be blessed beyond measure, “and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). And don’t forget, when you are helping carry someone’s burden, Jesus is carrying you every step of the way.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 