Chapter 7- Lightening the Load

Serve on another- Gal. 5:13
Carry each other's burdens- Gal. 6:2
Build each other up- I Thes. 5:11

Coming into the seventh chapter and just reading these excerpts from scripture makes us see the building up of learning to 'one another'. First we are to serve, rather than to be served! Second, we can unload on each other to help us with the burdens that weigh our lives down and thirdly; we need to encourage each other and lift each other up!

the quote from Albert Schweitzer is an invaluable insight: "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."

The story the author shares about the couple that saw the need of a neighbor and met that need without hesitation seems like a common thing among those that are actively listening for the Holy Spirits moving. "Sharing the Journey"- together in life we must be willing to be a part of others and vice versa, allow others to be a part of us. It seems that in today's world of individuality that premise is hard to wrap our thoughts around; allowing others to do for me?!!!

The best blessings I have received is from acting on the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do (or serve) something for someone. It may of been a phone call, a 'good deed' for someone, or a variety of other 'moments' that have shown itself to be HS induced!

page 81- serve one another

Jesus washing the feet of His disciples is the ultimate example of serving one another without thought of 'position' or status.

I know that I am guilty of see a real need and telling the people, 'well, if there is anything I can do, just let me know' when in reality I have let an opportunity go to help/serve.

A friend of mine just got back from serving in Turkestan (an old part of Russia) where it is very primitive to live- almost like living in the biblical times. Not speaking much of the language communication was limited. His neighbors wife passed away and as typical in that part of the world people would come to the house to mourn. Not know what else to do, that is exactly what my friend did, sat in the court yard of the sorrowing husband and mourned the death of someone he barely knew. His obedience and action was a huge message to the man; I care.

E.W. Howe says, "when a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it!"

page 82- serving from a heart of love

I don't know about you but it seems when someone finally does call for help it is the most inoperable time! After reading this section I realize that service to others is not always perfect timing- and perhaps it is a test of our attitudes! Paul tells us that serving isn't an act of slavery to be drudged but rather an opportunity for us to find JOY in Serving! "But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Gal. 5:13

"serving out of obedience alone is slavery; serving with love is a joy." doing with a good attitude! seems to be the secret to a joyful life.


page 84 "Carry Each Other's Burdens"

The example the books gives is great. A guy realizes that a friend, while playing basketball was in need of someone to talk to about his business. In doing so they ended up going to God in prayer for the situation.

I had served as a deacon in our past church and my wife and I had went to the hospital to visit a dear older friend of ours that was in his last stages of cancer. We had so much respect for this man of God and we listened as he told us that it wasn't the dieing part of this illness that bothered him, but rather the way in which he would die. He told us of how he had prayed to God just to let him die in peace so that he could come on and meet him. During his hospital stay he had shared with the workers of the love of Christ and the confidence he had in his Saviour. His testimony was awesome of the love he had for Christ. It was time for us to leave and I asked him if we could pray with him. We, my wife, Bill, and I held hands and I started to pray. My emotions so over come me that I couldn't stop weeping so I gently squeezed my wife's hand to prompt her to pray, as she started the same thing happened to her. So here we are, the two of us that came to bring comfort to this man that was dieing, bawling our eyes out, so......... Bill prayed for us! Even in Bill's dieing days, he was serving- he loved, he cared for those around him, and through it all, totally trusted and was sold out for Christ. (Why were we crying? I'm not sure but for some reason there seemed to be an unworthiness about me praying for Bill! Retrospectively, I wonder if it wasn't because of being awestruck with his confidence and love he so gracefully and marvelously showed of his Savior.)

page 85- build each other up.

Edifying each other is an act of putting our focus back on Jesus.

Life pretty much sucks at times and our focus is sometimes thrown off keel. As the book mentions, edifying one another allows us to help each other take our eyes off the world and to remember who we are in Christ!

My friend that was dieing was just that type of guy. Any time you were around Bill for very long you knew who Christ was and how He was there for you! Bill had that ornate ability to remember who's we are- Christ!

Trying to build one another up with worldly adoration's doesn't do it- but to reminded of who we belong to and who we can glorify in- lives worries and struggles are just not as pressing as they once were. Having the ability to rely on God for His care for us rather than us trying to do it ourselves free us of the heavy load. Giving friends a scripture that has helped us during trying times serves well with encouraging one another. Sometimes it is sharing our own struggles that makes the experience of building one another up the most useful!

Results from building each other up isn't something that is always seen. Truthful expressions of honesty and openness in order to edify each other may take time. It is the prompting of the Holy Spirit we are following in order to build others up, let the Holy Spirit do the job in the encourager- we just need to be obedient and share with each other.