By Allen White
Brothers and sisters,
if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that
person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 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 6:1-5
It’s far easier to replace something than to restore it. Several
months ago, I received a call about an accident at our house. In trying to
retrieve a toy, one of my children had knocked over the grandfather clock that
my father had built. Fortunately, no one was injured. But, the clock is toast.
Of course, my child is more important than a piece of furniture.
In fact, I drove home in the middle of the day just to give a hug and a
reassurance.
How could I be some calm about the loss of a family heirloom?
Because in my father’s house there are many grandfather clocks. In fact, there
is another one exactly like my broken clock that my father also built. It’s
easier to replace it than to repair it. The broken clock now sits in my garage.
My neighbors walk by and think that, yes, I’m just that rich.
But, if that clock was one of a kind or if my father was no longer
around to build clocks, the broken clock might have a different future. Not
only is a handmade clock a valuable piece of furniture, but it’s also a special
memory of my dad carefully handcrafting the clock in his basement shop. It
would be hard to part with. It would be repaired at any cost. No expense would
be spared.
We are surrounded by broken people. Each is unique. Not one can be
replaced. Yet, it seems easier to part with people than to restore them.
The Bible tells us that as believers, we have a responsibility to
each other – “carry one another’s burdens.” When someone in our small group has
a problem, it’s our job to help with their problem. Provide a listening ear.
Pray for them. Encourage them. When a person has sinned, it’s our job to
restore them gently and not cut them off at the needs.
Now, bearing someone’s burden does not mean taking over their
problem. We bear one another’s burdens, but each one should carry his own load.
As John Townsend and Henry Cloud teach in
Boundaries, everyone is required to carry his own backpack.
Everyone should take responsibility for himself. When the burden
is heavy, then we should help. But, we shouldn’t be carrying what other people
need to carry for ourselves. When we find ourselves carrying an abundance of
backpacks so that others don’t have to carry anything, we’ve entered into a
co-dependent relationship.
The other caution is that in restoring another, we don’t become
overly sympathetic or even informed of their sinful ways. Otherwise, the
temptation that pulled on them might begin to pull on us as well. Broken human
beings are susceptible to the ugliness of sin.
Who needs your help? Whose burden is too heavy for them these
days? What kind of help can you give? What kind of help
should you give? Where should you draw the line? Sometimes the best
help is to pray for them and then refer them to someone who has greater
expertise. If you don’t know when to refer,
read this post.
Oh, and if you’re interested in a “slightly used” grandfather
clock, give me a call.
Twitter: @galatians419 @allenwhite
