Bearing Burdens

I love reading.  I’ve been going through a book from the Stormlight Archive (which I’ve probably mentioned before) and it has brought some good insight to me.  In one scene a herald imparts on others his “burden”.  It is to carry the darkness and the sufferings of others.  But he wields this power in an evil way.  He claims to do good but his actions are evil. At one point during this impartation of the burden, one of the characters (he has dealt with this darkness or depression) is able to stand.  He is able to not be crushed by the weight of this “burden”.

As the character stands he not only endures this “darkness” himself but then aids others who have been impressed with the same darkness from the herald character.  As he does so the others are able to withstand this depression and do what was necessary to win the contest (a contest had been entered in order to showcase the skill of one of those imparted with the darkness).  

During this whole process the herald character asks the question “How can you withstand such darkness! How are you doing this!” And the one who is able to overcome told him “because I know what you are going through.” Such a powerful statement

This reminds me of what the church is supposed to be.  It reminds me of these things in two ways.  First it recalls the need for us to recognize we are not alone in our suffering.  We all share the same suffering (and sin) as others.  This suffering (and sin) though undesirable is in and happens to us all.  We must share this with others.  In doing so we encourage others that they are not alone.  Like the book said, in one way this does not help because you still have the pain.  But in another way it is of great help because you know there is someone else who has been in and feels the same pain. You are not alone. This leads me to the second thing that the scene reminds me of.

This scene reminds me of the church’s need to share in each other's burdens.  As the character who is able to withstand the “darkness” stands.  He does not leave it there.  He goes to help others (even the one who is imparting this darkness on them!). He does not think that his achievement is to be done in isolation.  He goes to those around him trapped in this storm of oppression and helps them be released from it.  The church should mirror this action.  When we see others in depression we should go and bear this suffering with them.  When we see others in sin, we should go and bear them up from it. 

The question though is “How do we do that?” For suffering it is to recall (if you have gone through such a situation) the pain and feelings we have felt during that time and feel those with that person.  As we feel those feelings we release those feelings from the one suffering because the weight is not only on them anymore.  Notice I didn’t say to console them. It's not about saying “everything will work out” or “there is a reason for everything.” These things are important and should be stated at the appropriate time, but it is about feeling the feelings of the other person and helping them to carry those hurts and pain. 

For sin, it is for us to point out that sin and to convict the one in it of their actions.  It is to let them recognize (they may not even know it is sin) their problem and guide them to the solution.  Notice that I added “guide them to the solution.”  When we bear with each other in sin it's not about pointing fingers.  It is about restoration.  It is about redemption. We are not bearing with them if we are not walking with them in recovery.  And this is all to be done with grace. This must all have its foundation in love. It must be carried out with compassion.

We as the church have to be better (we can always be better).  I must be better.  Now the question I have for you is “Where are you at with this?”  The help we need is the help we should give.  Let us both reach out to others for help and seek others to help.  Do not be alone in suffering and sin but join with your brothers and sisters for hope and restoration.  Let us be the church God has ordained us to be!

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. Galatians 6:1