“Bearing Each Other's Burdens”
Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Bob O. writes:
I am involved with a prison ministry, where I just got involved with a program called “Innerchange Freedom Initiative,” which is a program where you set up programs for people being released from prison. The programs are set up through your church.
This Bible verse (Galatians 6:2) means so much to me. As I help with the prison ministry programs, my motto is: Bear one another’s burdens.
I go into jails and prison and visit with inmates, listen to their stories, witness to them, pray with them and sing with them. To be able to listen to these fine people is a joy for me.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on June 23rd, 2008 and filed under Hope, Praise, Your Stories, Mentoring, Life Verse.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Dear Bob O. :
Your calling, like Paul’s, exemplifies splendidly “a prisoner of Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:9).
You remind me of Isaiah 61:1, that the Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon you, because the LORD has anointed you to bring good news to the afflicted… to proclaim freedom …for the prisoners. (Also Luke 4:18).
Blessed are the inmates who have you “listen to their stories, witness to them, pray with them and sing with them.” By the Power of GOD, with your dedicated efforts, their affliction may prove to be a blessing. You instill into them hope, and lead them to find comfort in His Word in all their trials.
Being human, we face peculiar temptations and easily yield to sins.
But “we who are strong ought to bear the weakness of those without strength”; bear with each other, and help each other in the divine life.(Romans 15:1).
“To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit… giving a blessing instead” (1 Peter 3:8)
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you; and
GODSPEED with your much needed ministry, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Mary,
Thanks for those kind words. I love my Ministry, and I Love God. he gives me daily strength and guidance. God is wonderful. A Life without God is certainly no life at all.
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Dear Bob Ortendahl in Christ:
Glory be to GOD in the Highest.
Mary Sun.