Freedom — To Bear Each Other’s Burdens – Thursday
TODAY’S VERSE
Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)
In the years that I have worked at Southland, I’ve received some unusual requests from people. Not long after I came on staff, and long before Boone Brothers was around, I got a very interesting phone call. In a very heavy Kentucky accent, the man on the other end of the phone kept telling me he wanted to give us a pig… a live pig. I tried to thank him and tell him I wasn’t sure that was a donation we would be able to accept. Finally, I realized that he wanted to donate the pig to feed those who were hungry in our community, not give the staff a living mascot around the office. I am happy to report that we were, in fact, able to connect him with someone who could process the pig and help feed hungry people in our community.
Most calls we receive aren’t that unusual, but a lot are not things we can quickly say yes to. It’s not because they are bad things; they are usually good things. The problem is that these things cannot only be done by staff, or are even best done by staff. Part of our job is to equip you to share the gospel with your hairdresser whom you have come to love, to pray with your uncle who is in the hospital and doesn’t have much time left, or to invite your neighbor to come to church with you.
The Bible wasn’t just written for church staff or those with seminary degrees. These verses in Galatians were written to the early churches in the region of Galatia, but they were written for you, too. God’s Word is for all of us: elders, church staff, volunteers, first-time guests, students, and kids. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (ESV). Basically, if you believe what God says, it will be obvious in your actions, so trust that God’s Holy Spirit is with you and step out in action.
APPLICATION
What has God been asking you to do that you are hoping someone else will do? Take a step this week to have that conversation, go help that neighbor, or pray with that family member God has placed on your heart.
PRAYER
Father, thank You that You have given all believers Your Holy Spirit and that You have equipped all of us to help one another. Show us where You can use us this week and give us Your courage to step out in faith.