Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-40 what the greatest commandment is, and then what is equally important — loving your neighbor as yourself, “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” 

Many times we get so wrapped in the everyday hustle of life that we can barely address our own burdens, let alone the burdens of others. It’s easy to think this call to true empathy isn’t a big deal, that it’s enough to say “I’ll pray for you” and then forget to — at least we offered. But what if we actually lived daily obeying the law of Christ to the fullest? What if we stopped for a minute and actually prayed, out loud, with the people that are sharing their hardships with us, allowing the Holy Spirit to come in and show His power when we’re willing vessels? What if we checked in on those from church, work, friends, family, whoever it may be and truly listened while they talked? What if we took a meal to the new mom or the family who just lost their dad and felt their burdens as we see their tiredness and sorrow, instead of just reacting with the care button on Facebook? What if we met in hospital lobbies and prayed for divine healings to occur instead of just talking about how bad someone’s health has gotten? We know what that would mean for us, so why don’t we do it for someone else? 

We see a picture of the power of sharing in someone’s burden in the movie “Ordinary Angels.” Without the compassion and self sacrifice that follows the taking on of a burden, the ending would have been much different for a young girl. Jesus knew we needed each other, he knew what happens when we come to the revelation that true love is laying down one’s life for another — he knew this because he lived it. He proved on the cross that he means this command to carry the burdens for those around us must be kept. He carried not only our burdens but our sin! 

Satan saw the power of this real love and so he tries to get us so self-absorbed, busy, or disconnected from others that the command to love one another can’t be achieved. The good news is we have the ultimate comforter, the spirit of truth so we no longer live in this deception. The Holy Spirit can help us carry others burdens to the throne room, moving us as we feel the weight that our brothers and sisters are carrying. Then as we come alongside them, that weight is shared. That weight is carried in unity and love to the One who can exchange it for peace, comfort, joy, healing, breakthrough — but we have to be willing to share it with them. None of us are meant to endure the struggles of life alone. Jesus knew how much we need each other, so he gave us not only his law but his example. Obey it today.

Querido Padre Celestial,

I confess that there are times that I am so “me” focused that I don’t readily notice or acknowledge the needs of others. Help me to lay my burdens at Your feet and be a vessel for You to use to answer the prayers of those around me. Use me for the benefit of others that I may bring glory to You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

In today’s society with so many having a “me” mentality, it is more important than ever that we as Christians reach out in love to others. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to those around you for whom you can be an ordinary angel.