Have you ever said to your spouse, “Everything can’t be on the top shelf in the front” or “If it had been a snake it would have bit you”? I have many times.

We live in a society of convenience! The “give it to me now and quick!” mentality. And the simpler the better!

You know I’m right! So don’t sit there with a confused look on your face!

But God didn’t mean for everything in this life to be convenient. Jesus made many a trip of inconvenience so that we would have life. The most sacrificial trip was to the cross. So we’re going to grumble when we have to search the refrigerator for that favorite jelly or we are asked to run a friend to the grocery or sit by the bedside of a sick friend. I think NOT!

Galatians 6:2d

 ^rBear one another’s burdens, and ^sso fulfill ^tthe law of Christ.

Romans 15:1–7

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,  that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Luke 14:28

 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

Hebrews 13:1–3

Let us in brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby ^wsome have entertained angels unawares.  ^xRemember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

According to Townsend and Cloud – the authors of “Boundaries” When to say Yes and when to say No”  they say…………..

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. – Galatians 6:2-5

We are responsible to others and for ourselves. “Carry each other’s burdens,” says Galatians 6:2, “and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This verse shows our responsibility to one another.

Many times, others have “burdens” that are too big to bear. They do not have enough strength, resources, or knowledge to carry the load, and they need help.

Denying ourselves to do for others what they cannot do for themselves is showing the sacrificial love of Christ. This is what Christ did for us. He did what we could not do for ourselves; he saved us. This is being responsible “to.”

On the other hand, verse 5 says that “each one should carry his own load.” Everyone has responsibilities that only he or she can carry. These things are our own particular “load” that we need to take daily responsibility for and work out. No one can do certain things for us. We have to take ownership of certain aspects of life that are our own “load.” The Greek words for burden and load give us insight into the meaning of these texts. The Greek word for burden means “excess burdens,” or burdens that are so heavy that they weigh us down. These burdens are like boulders. They can crush us. We shouldn’t be expected to carry a boulder by ourselves! It would break our backs. We need help with the boulders—those times of crisis and tragedy in our lives.

In contrast, the Greek word for load means “cargo,” or “the burden of daily toil.” This word describes the everyday things we all need to do. These loads are like knapsacks. Knapsacks are possible to carry. We are expected to carry our own. We are expected to deal with our own feelings, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as the responsibilities God has given to each one of us, even though it takes effort.

Problems arise when people act as if their “boulders” are daily loads, and refuse help, or as if their “daily loads” are boulders they shouldn’t have to carry. The results of these two instances are either perpetual pain or irresponsibility.

Lest we stay in pain or become irresponsible, it is very important to determine what “me” is, where my boundary of responsibility is and where someone else’s begins. We will define what we are responsible for later in our book. For now let’s look more closely at the nature of boundaries.

Townsend and Cloud may have something going here!

So everything is not going to be convenient for us but the trick is learning how to determine when we’re making everything convenient for the other.

We can’t give to our fullest with a glad heart if we’re giving far beyond what we’re able to give.

So pray today for God to give us a willing spirit. Also pray for Him to give us a discerning mind and loving heart.

Lord, You gave way out of convenience. I pray that I will be willing to give beyond and You will give me the strength to go as You lead me. Amen!

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