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"Bearing One Another's Burdens"
by David Paden

People who work with ocean-going ships will tell you that it's critical to check the way the cargo load is distributed in the vessel. If the cargo is too heavy, the ship will ride too low in the water and won't be able to travel at a good speed. If the load is too light, the ship will ride too high in the water and bob like a cork, especially when storms hit. The ship needs the proper amount of cargo for it to make the best progress across the ocean. This reminds me of a passage in the book of Galatians where Paul said, "Bear one another's burdens... For each one shall bear his own load" (Gal. 6:2, 5).  The word "burden" in this passage refers to anything that is heavy or troublesome. This could refer to any particular hardship that one is experiencing (Temptation, trials, work, etc...). As Christians, there are many things in the journey of life that burden us (Gal. 6:5). Sometimes those burdens become so heavy that we become weary and find it difficult to live the life of a Christian. At the same time, when we are not bearing our own burdens in life (Gal. 6:5) and the burdens of others (Gal. 6:2), it makes it difficult for us to relate to those who are bearing a heavy load in the kingdom of God. In essence, we find ourselves much like that sea going vessel. We are too heavy with burdens to the point that we are about to sink or we are too light, to the point that we are just bobbing around, doing nothing which benefits others. We need to find the proper balance between bearing our own burdens and helping others to bear their burdens. What is the key to identifying this balance?

Bearing burdens, whether it be my own or the burdens of others, requires spiritual maturity. In Galatians 6:1, Paul called upon those who are "spiritual" to restore those who are overtaken in a trespass. Paul was referring to those who were spiritually mature. What does it mean to be spiritually mature? One who is spiritually mature is one who consistently seeks to do the will of the father (Matt. 7:21), he/she reads and meditates on God's Word (Psa. 1:2) and is completely dependent on God's Word for his guide in life (Psa. 119:105). Spiritual maturity is the element which causes one to see the need to bear my own burdens in life. This can be seen in Galatians 6:4. After Paul appealed to those who were spiritual, he then reminded them "...let each one examine his own work...." Spiritual maturity also causes me to help others with their burdens. It causes me to recognize that in bearing one another's burdens, I am striving to fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). Spiritual maturity causes me to look beyond my own burdens and look to those who have greater burdens, with the intent of offering an understanding spirit and a helping hand.