| The Every Day of Life |
Chapter 19 |
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Then there is a second Bible word, which tells us that we should “bear one another’s burdens.” So there are burdens in the carrying of which others can help us. No one can suffer for us, but true human friendship can put strength into our hearts to make us better able to endure our own sufferings. No one can do our duty for us, but human sympathy can nerve us for greater faithfulness and heroism in duty. Sympathy does not take away the pain, nor lighten the load; but it gives companionship, and puts another shoulder under the burden.
It is a great thing to have brotherly, sisterly help in life. We all need each other. Not one of us could get on without others to share our loads. We do not begin to live truly until we begin to put of our own strength into the hearts of others. We should notice that “Bear ye one another’s burdens” is called “the law of Christ.” We begin to become like Christ only when we begin to be of use, when we begin to help others, to make life a little easier for them, their weakness, something of our joy in their sorrow. Even the smallest ministries of unselfish helpfulness redeem a life from utter earthiness. Says Emily Dickinson:–
“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
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