JUNE 27, 2012
A Commitment To Care
Read: Galatians
5:14–6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2
During the months
following the death of my wife’s mother, we received a
number of cards and
letters from the hospice team who had so lovingly
cared for Mom and walked with
our family along the pathway of loss. One
letter offered thoughts on dealing
constructively with grief. Another said,
“As the date of your mother’s birthday
approaches, we remember her,
and our prayers and thoughts are with you and your
family.” These
wonderful caregivers know that grieving is an ongoing process
that
requires continuing help and support. They exhibit deep compassion in all
they do.
Paul’s words “Bear one
another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”
(Gal. 6:2) come as an
exclamation point to his description of life in the Spirit.
In contrast to the
destructive, self-centered acts of the sinful nature
(Gal. 5:19-21), the fruit
of the Holy Spirit in and through us is “love, joy,
peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control” (vv.22-23). The
great freedom we have in Christ allows us
to serve each other in love (v.13).
A word of
encouragement to a hurting friend can come like a refreshing rain.
When we
continue to care in tangible ways, it grows into a life-giving stream
of
healing and love.
Love is giving for the
world’s needs,
Love is sharing as the
Spirit leads,
Love is caring when
the world cries,
Love is compassion
with Christlike eyes. —Brandt
Compassion is the capacity to put Christlike
love into action.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
