Burdens

“For every man shall bear his own burden”
Galatians 6:5

There are many types of burdens in this life. Paul in this chapter of scripture illustrates two types, both of which are essential in the life of His own. The one quoted above concerns our own burden, it is a burden of life and of responsibility. This is a God-given one, which is ours to bear in faithfulness unto Him.

Paul knew of this burden personally and spoke of it in every epistle. It was a burden borne of the love of God.

“In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
2 Corinthians 11:28

The burdens of the Lord pulsate with power and love. It is love that produces the burdens of the Spirit. When one cares for the life and well-being of another there is a wonder in it and a blessing to receive in our faithfulness to the call of God.

The unconcerned, the distant ones from the heart of God carry burdens that are selfish in nature and there will be no Paraclete (Greek: παράκλητος) to carry or be yoked to such. The burdens of Christ within an individual’s life are His burdens being shared with them. They are born of love, carried in love, and are filled with His presence. They can bring us to depths of prayer and intercession and straightness of spirit but there is always a dominion of peace within their garments.

The greater the self-less love of God that dwells within us the burdens of Him will be of equal weight. To go through this life without knowing the cry of the Lord for others is to miss out on the joy of being in Him.

No one can hold the love of God in their hearts and not know of His burden for others. If Christ the great intercessor for His people is ever offering prayers on our behalf and if we are in Him and He is in us then it would be incongruous to not know of His heart.

“He that saith he abideth in him
ought himself also so to walk,
even as he walked.”
1 John 2:6

See: His Word, His Burden

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“Pray not for a lighter load,
but for stronger shoulders.”
Augustine

Brian Troxel