Bearing one another’s burdens and visitations

Single moms have a very hard time. This matter of single parenting is further complicated when the mother is young and/or economically challenged.

The other day I ran into a woman “Sarah” in the grocery store whose daughter recently had a child, yet the daughter is choosing to continue to live life as if she is not a mother. The grandmother mind you is only two years younger than me; she also is a single working mother and providing for her other two children. While we are in the grocery store, “Sarah” is near tears as she explains to me that she wants her oldest daughter to understand her parental responsibility and at the same time she is endeavoring to ensure her grandson is properly cared for. I am sure this is a reality that is played out in many homes across America.

“Sarah” is a believer and attends a nearby local church and she is struggling through this alone. I walked away wondering does anyone she fellowships with know her current situation. There are several dynamics occurring that could be addressed if fellow Christians would come alongside this family and demonstrate the love of Christ. Sarah needs assistance with her daughter. The daughter could benefit from some single mom or moms who have been through this situation. This would be a time of simply displaying Christ to people who have a burden that currently is overwhelming. For more clarity visit Titus 2.

Finally, once again this demonstrates the importance of those who are gifted to shepherd (pastor) to visit those whom God has placed in their care (1 Peter 5:1-3). We are missing the mark if we think shepherding is exclusively about teaching and/or preaching.

It is a powerful display of the Gospel when believers not only speak about bearing burdens but also demonstrate it tangibly. Jesus Christ our Chief Shepherd came and visited humanity. In his visitation he not only spoke about bearing the burden of the cross for our sin but actually was nailed to a cross. He has shouldered our burden and the consequence of that sacrifice and his subsequent resurrection is a transformation in the hearts of those who trust him. The fruit of that transformation is men and women who desire for God’s glory to bear the burdens of others.

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Die Well

I had to attend a funeral of a former co-worker today. On my way towards the gathering, I thought on death and its ramifications now in our lives.

Paul reflected that in death he saw gain. That gain was his great pearl Jesus Christ. Paul also, in light of impending death, reflected on a life that was lived well for Christ. He had run the course of the race of cross carrying and fought the good fight of faith. He anticipated with great faith the reward or crown of rejoicing that he would receive.

Seek to die well.

A life spent chasing knowledge, earthly pleasures, human accolades or personal esteem will result in a death that is tragic. While the blessings of our Creator are sweet, those same blessings are not what we are to chase, but a life in pursuit of God’s greatest blessing, Jesus Christ.

So I would encourage you, seek to die well. Remain faithful to the Gospel, seeking to display God’s redemptive grace in your own life, your family, the community of believers you worship with and in the gifts that God has given you. Seeking to die well means ultimately magnifying Jesus Christ who died well and rose for our redemption.

Dying well will mean remaining faithful to the end. View your life and your death as a means to display the grace of God. Anticipate that after a life well lived in Christ with “joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,” you shall receive “the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Seek to die well

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