So I've started exercising .... again. It's been several months since I was on any kind of regular routine. Yesterday, after using the elliptical I used the gym training station for a little weight lifting. It was only two sets of 15 reps with 20 pounds. That's really all I can handle for the time being. I will have to build up to more.
Anyway, while I was working with those weights, I thought about how good it felt when I stopped. Haha! How good it was not to be bearing all that extra weight. My thoughts turned to all the other extra weights we carry around with us.
The cares and concerns we deal with in this world can become quite burdensome. The weight can wear us down.
But we aren't meant to bear these burdens alone. We are supposed to help each other. We've all experienced tough times. And we know they are easier to get through when we have friends to help us. The church needs weight lifters!
Do you remember when Christ talked about the extra mile? The concept was probably quite shocking for those who heard it. At the time, the Jewish nation was under control of the Roman Empire. It was law that a Roman soldier could require a Jew to carry their gear for a mile. Needless to say, this law was not in favor among the Jews.
Yet, Jesus said - "if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Knowing this, can you imagine how some of His audience reacted? Yet if we combine the commandment and concept of the extra mile with the commandment to love one another we become weight lifters. We willingly bear one another's burdens.
We are not to be like the Pharisees were. Jesus condemns them for being hypocritical and prideful.
"For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up
heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on
people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing
to move them with their finger" (Matthew 23:3b-4).
Can you imagine causing more burdens for a brother or sister in Christ? No!!
Instead we are supposed to lift one another up. Help those who are weak. Again, combining the extra mile concept with love we strengthen one another. We build each other up. Those who follow Christ should always be willing to do this for another.
In the gym, I can only lift 20 pounds right now. I don't have enough physical strength to do more. But if someone helped, we could probably double that or more. Sometimes, the devil finds us in a weakened state. We don't have enough strength to face a struggle on our own. So we ask for help and our strength increases!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to "encourage one another, and build one another up." And Galatians 6:2 tells us "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." We know from the scriptures Christians are to help one another with all sorts of burdens.
We should be there for one another in times of sorrow. Romans 12:15 tells us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." We need to be able to lean on someone when we feel we can't go on.
As members of the same body, we should realize when one is suffering, we all suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26). Think about our own bodies. When we have a stomach ache or sore throat or headache, we hurt all over. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, certainly we will hurt when they hurt or in need -- physically, emotionally or spiritually.
So reach out to someone who is lonely -- pray with and for one another. And I'm not talking about only during the worship assembly. If you remember some kindness - some act of grace and mercy given to you, then find someone else who needs a similar act of kindness and grace.
There are so many ways to lift someone up. Sit with the mother of young children who brings her family to worship without her husband. Make sure you spend a few extra minutes with the widow or widower who attends worship alone week after week, month after month. Let the parents of a child serving overseas in the military tell you about their child.
These are not new ideas. When we know someone needs help --whether it be buying a bag of groceries, cooking a meal or crying with someone who lost a loved one we should show them we care. Be there for them! Be a weight lifter!!
Just like in the gym, I can only do twenty pounds at a time right now - we may have to start off small. Remember though, exercise makes us stronger. The more we help others the stronger we will be. Another thing to remember is we are not working alone. Our Savior, Jesus Christ is right there with us.
We help ourselves when we help others. It is simply a fact. The gratification which comes from being a weight lifter cannot be measured!
I could go on and on about this topic; but it is already getting late. Maybe another time. :) For now, I will leave you with a two more passages from God's word.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10b).
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).
Christ above all things,
Robin
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