When I was a kid, my family did a lot of hiking. Our ventures would range from a few-hour excursion to an all-day event. While my parents did take into account our ages and abilities, they didn’t let them stand in the way of some really tough hikes. I was not a fan. In fact, there are still many family stories in circulation regarding my accusations of child abuse and refusal to walk “even one more step.”
The summer before eighth grade my parents decided the kids were old enough to take on an overnight backpacking trip. This meant days upon days of hiking and now we had to wear packs! Maybe I had built up enough endurance or a teeny tiny bit of maturity had snuck in, but I was actually excited! We bought our packs, our trekking poles and all the supplies. We practiced on the ¼ mile trails in our backwoods, all geared up and ready for the big trip. My parents cautioned and stressed, “No extras! Keep your packs light!” My pack was exactly fifteen pounds. It felt so easy and light FOR THE FIRST MILE. As we traveled, my pack felt heavier and heavier. My shoulders started hurting, my neck strained. My fifteen-pound pack felt like fifty. I looked at my dad carrying his enormous pack, full of food for six people and marveled. And then something amazing happened: when we stopped for a rest my dad strapped my pack onto his! I was able to finish our day’s hike, rest and wake up ready to start again.
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Whenever I read this verse, I think about that backpacking trip. The freedom I felt having that load taken from my back, the ease at which I finished our hike is something I can still feel to this day. When we think about Galatians 6:1 and our brothers and sisters who’ve been “overtaken with wrongdoing” I imagine that day on the trail. I can see them struggling under the weight of a heavy pack. If I can unburden them by working through their sin with them, bringing it into the light of God’s word and walking them back into fellowship with Jesus, then I’ll gladly bear that load. I know the freedom it brings; both physically and spiritually!
"Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on...
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on."
—Bill Withers