Carrying Burdens Is A Unique Freedom

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

-Galatians 6:2

I’d like to share a quick history lesson about the parallels between the Old and New Testaments. In the book of Exodus, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, and it would be an understatement to say it was a difficult task. Even after God unleashed the ten plagues on Pharaoh and the Egyptians, the Israelites were still reluctant to leave their slavery. Though they were oppressed, they had grown comfortable in their bondage. They had food, shelter, and the security of Egypt. And as Moses led them away from that life, they constantly complained, not realizing that God would provide for them if they remained faithful to Him.

In a very similar way, the earliest Christians in Galatia struggled to embrace true freedom. Even after accepting Christ, many wrestled with leaving behind the legalism demanded by certain Jewish leaders. Judaizers convinced Gentile believers that the only way to be saved was to continue following Jewish customs. So the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians for many reasons — one of which was to remind them that true freedom lies in the grace of God. Christ died to free us from the chains of sin, His death paying the debt for our transgressions, so long as we believe and hold true to His commandments.

The Galatians needed that reminder. And history has a way of repeating itself, because I believe we need the same reminder today. This isn’t a judgment on society or a declaration that everyone is lazy — it’s simply an observation that we’ve grown satisfied with our conveniences and comforts. Need endless entertainment? Movies are a click away. Don’t feel like running errands? Instacart and Walmart+ are right on your phone. Don’t feel like cooking? DoorDash and Grubhub are ready to help. Don’t feel like asking someone a question? AI can answer almost anything.

Again, this isn’t criticism. Just yesterday we ordered groceries from Walmart, and my wife and I are pretty sure we’ll use DoorDash tonight because it’s been a busy week and we haven’t had time to prepare food. I use AI tools to help with my workflow and research projects. So I’m right there with you. So you might be asking, “What’s the problem?” The problem is this: if we’ve grown so comfortable that we rarely leave our homes for basic necessities like food, water, or other services, how much harder will it become for us as Christians to go out into the world and do good works for others? I know that if I don’t go out and make myself of service to others, I risk becoming a slave to these comforts. And my guess is that anyone who uses these services to excess risks the same issue.

The Israelites needed to be reminded not to be enslaved by their comforts. The Galatians needed to be reminded not to be spiritually enslaved to the old ways. And today, we need to be reminded that the conveniences we’re blessed with — if abused — can enslave us in a very real way. This recurring historical pattern is a perfect example of the saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” And this, my friends, is where we must turn to Christ and strike a balance in our lives.

It’s true that I use every one of the services I listed above. But it’s also true that I’ve opened my heart to Christ and found balance. I may order DoorDash or ask a question on an AI platform, but I also use Walmart+ in our ministry to ship food and water throughout West Virginia where it’s needed most. Yet even that isn’t balanced enough. I must carry other people’s burdens — not simply with technology or financial resources, but with my heart.

So I don’t just send occasional online shipments to food pantries. I load my car with 60–70 gallons of water and drive five hours down to the coalfields of West Virginia, where clean water is scarce. I drive six hours to towns that need emergency supplies after a flood. I go out and record infrasound and test water as part of our research projects.

Some of these tasks are physically demanding and time‑intensive, and I don’t expect everyone to do the same things I do. Nor do I list these things to brag. By truly orienting my heart toward God, I feel called to help others. And in that call, I feel compelled to physically go where the help is needed. In doing so, something unexpected happened: my drives to and from these distant regions have become some of the most fulfilling and enjoyable moments of my adult life. They are times when I pray more and feel closer to God. And when I’m out on a long drive, I feel truly free.

Perhaps in carrying other people’s burdens, as the Apostle Paul teaches, more than one good thing occurs. Aside from glorifying God and helping others, my life has gained renewed joy and purpose. In carrying the burdens of others, the burdens of others carry me.