We are born to be free – this sounds good in theory, but in all reality all kinds of issues infringe on our freedom. And what happens all too often, we slowly but surely get stuck in our own little world. Preoccupied, we do not even notice when someone else is challenged. If we do notice, we tend to look away because we could not bear another person’s burden on top of ours. We think that we must take care of ourselves first and then help others. Well, the apostle Paul disagrees and in his letter to the Galatians points to the law of Christ saying that we first take care of another man’s burden.

So what happens to our own burdens in the process? Obviously we have to set these aside for a moment until we are through dealing with the other person’s issue. Since this is the law of Christ, Jesus will remedy the situation. Do not underestimate the benefit of helping someone. We will feel good about it. Almost always we learn something. And probably there is a ripple effect and additional people will be blessed.

Here is the thing about our own burdens and responsibilities: We are not supposed to carry them in the first place. Carrying each other’s burden is the law of Christ, which means Christ Himself does not carry His own burden, no, He carries ours. And He invites us to carry His yoke, which He says is light.

We can truly contribute to this day and age when we are not weighed down or held back by our own problems and issues. This is why the law of Christ is such a blessing to our society. Unburdened, we look people in the eye and are fully present. Hospitals; charity work; animal shelters – all of the above and more is based on the law of Christ. Take all of this out of the equation, and we would live in a much colder world.

The kingdom of heaven runs on kindness and empathy. Angels will cheer us on as we get on board with the law of Christ, let go of our own burdens and help the person next to us.