Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

Last week a recent high school graduate from my church family was in a terrible auto accident with some of her friends. Liz is in the ICU, left with broken bones, internal injuries, a severe spinal cord injury, paralysis, broken bones, and facing multiple surgeries.

My heart breaks for my young friend. Grief and, yes, fear run through my mind as I think of what her future may hold. Yet I know that the Lord is with her. She lived, though the odds were highly against her doing so. The Miracle Worker is in action! Liz is responding to treatment beyond the expectations of the doctors. God is good, even when we do not understand. God’s love prevails in difficulties and severe trials. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, and I know He will help Liz and her family.

The Holy Spirit also gives helpers to come alongside us. It has been such a blessing to see the family of God respond to this crisis, not just from our own congregation, but from nearby churches and believers across the country. Prayer chains abound as people are praying for our sister in Jesus and for her family. Meal trains bring food to her siblings at home, and to her parents at the hospital. Funding is being raised to help the family with medical bills and other expenses needed to prepare their home for wheelchair use.

The Church Body is working as directed by Christ, the Head of the Body. Consider the instructions in Galatians. While the passage talks about restoring someone caught in sin, I think it applies to other burdens we carry as well.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ…Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:2, 10 (NKJV)

Indeed, it is by our love for one another that others know we are Jesus’ disciples (John 13:35). How can we recognize true love? The Apostle John tells us how in the book of First John.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. I John 1:16–18 (NIV)

Let’s be the hands and feet of the Lord. May we look for those in need and offer assistance. Let’s show our love not with words or speech but with actions, and from true and pure motives. Let’s pray for others as well as for ourselves.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

Dear Lord, I pray for Liz. Please heal her, O Great Physician. Thank you for the help people are providing for Liz and her family. Show me the ways You want me to help, now and later beyond the immediate needs. In Jesus’ powerful name I pray. Amen.

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Top photo also by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com

Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.