Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (ESV)

As we continue in this series, we take a look at Galatians 6:2 with this perspective from a sticky note: “I want to look into the eyes of my neighbor and see HIM see hope.”  Can we first recognize how cool it is that someone had this on their heart, wrote it down on a sticky, and we are talking about it today, months later? This is a real person who wants their neighbor to experience true hope. That’s the hope of Jesus; so powerful that those who experience it deeply desire for others to know him too.  

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Life can be really tough at times, even feeling insurmountable. But we can take God’s promises to the bank.  He won’t ever let us down.  His nature is consistent: holy, sovereign, omnipotent, perfect. His love and grace abound beyond what we can even comprehend. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You won’t find anything so true, consistent, and certain to find hope in. And, as a relational God, he uses us to share his hope and bear one another’s burdens.

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Bearing one another’s burdens can look like so many different things: encouraging someone in your life group struggling with temptation, helping a friend whose house burned down, or maybe showing care to a coworker facing a scary medical diagnosis. The list goes on, but the point remains the same. One of the ways that we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, to be more like him and obedient to his commands, is to love our neighbors well. Doing life with others may often be uncomfortable, and you probably won’t have all the answers. But if you know the ONE who does, then you understand the value of sharing hope.

All throughout the Bible, we see God call his people to love their neighbors (Matt. 22:39).  We read about putting others before ourselves (Phil. 2:3). Jesus told the disciples to love one another as he loves us, and by that, people would know we are his disciples (John 13:34-35). So, what if we followed this commandment, too?  Would those around us see the difference in our lives that comes from the hope that our Savior brings? If we follow this commandment, God can use us to reach the lost, hurting, or struggling neighbor, friend, coworker, or random person at the grocery store.

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Whether you're not yet a follower of Jesus, you are struggling with something small, or you are up against the biggest giant of your life, may you experience the life-changing hope that Jesus offers. And let that light in you be a beacon for others to see; that you have the hope of Jesus living inside you. May you look into the eyes of your neighbor and see him see hope!

Jesus, thank you for the perfect example you gave me and for having grace when I still get it wrong.  Thank you for those you put in our lives to help carry the burden. And thank you for the hope that we have in you. Please use me to share that hope with those I encounter, and don’t ever let me forget that no matter what the day may bring, your love is bigger and better. In your kind, gentle, loving, mighty, precious, and hope-filled name, amen.