Lightening Burdens

A few days ago, I urged my coworkers to have a celebration. The main purpose was to tell them about the true meaning of Christmas, this time of year when everyone celebrates and many do not know what they are celebrating.

I also thought of making a mailbox in which everyone could leave messages of love and edification, because although some of them have not yet accepted Christ, through preaching and testimony they do know what it is all about, and two of these families have already been converted, to the glory of God.

On the day in question, I got up and set off for work heavily laden, because I was carrying a cold salad, sandwich spread, plates, the camera—in short, everything weighed an enormous amount. With difficulty, I boarded the bus, and there were no seats available, but I noticed a man who was seated and received a pleasant surprise: he was reading the Bible!

I am always exceedingly glad when I meet a brother; it is a blessing God gives us, and when we recognize one another, we feel that we are among family. I moved even closer and stood right beside him. My backpack and the bag I was carrying in my other hand were touching him, but, to my disappointment, he did not look up from his reading. Throughout the entire journey, my hands hurt, and I kept pleading for him at least to look at me. I did not even want him to get up; I only wanted him to help me and lighten my heavy load.

When it was time for me to get off, I touched him on the shoulder and said, “God bless you, my brother. How good it is to read the Word of God, but how good it would have been if you had helped me and carried my load.” He smiled shyly, and I got off.

Have you ever experienced a similar situation? Were you the one carrying the load or the one sitting down? Think about it for a moment: to what extent do we become oblivious and miss the blessing of helping others with their burdens?

It is good to read the Word of God, but the world around us must receive the fruit of studying it. It is good to walk down the street listening to songs of praise through headphones, but we cannot disregard those who need help. We cannot go through life as though we were not part of it.

Around us are people carrying heavier burdens than the one I carried that day, and we cannot go about distracted. We are here to help and serve, not to shut ourselves away. We are not of this world, but while we are in it, we must shine wherever we may be, whether on a bus, at work, at school, or in our own home.

Insensitivity is not an attribute of our God. He is available and attentive 24 hours a day; He does not sleep while His children suffer. He takes our burdens and frees us from their weight.

You are not on this earth merely to await the one to come. You are here not to pass through it alone, but to bring a multitude along with you. The heavenly dwelling places await you; try not to leave any spaces vacant.