I’ve felt unusually burdened lately, so much so that I’ve been secretly afraid that someone might push me over the edge by sharing just one more burden. Okay, that’s not normal, so what’s wrong with me?

And I accidentally bumped into this verse this morning, which initially caused me to want to remove it from my Bible:

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

So I need to carry more burdens, and then I’ll be doing right? Is that more Christian? What? Wait. That can’t be right. What’s my starting point before this verse? Well, if the cross and resurrection worked, not just for the world, but for me, then “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

The good news is that I am not a burden bearer, but Christ in me is. He’s not asking me to be what He is. Instead, He’s asking me to live by faith that He’s perfect with little, insignificant me whenever it comes to doing something perfect with the burdens of those near me. That means my attention goes first to Him, who lives in me. That’s always good! He is perfect, so I don’t try to be that. And through the day, here’s how that goes, here’s what I think, here’s how that sounds from me:

“Jesus, am I as incapable as it seems? I’m my biggest burden! What do you think?” And then I look for words and thoughts that appear in my mind that are way better than my own. “You’re not my biggest loser, Ralph. Together, we’re all that’s needed.” And there He is, taking the burden I had wrongly assumed.

Or it might go like this: “Lord, people are so deceived about what’s really going on! They’re addicted to the wrong news, so they’re clueless. And I’m hopeless. What do you think?” And then we have a chat that takes me off the ledge, reduces me to the bit player I am, and restores the glory of Him who lives in me. Mr. Capable lives in me! “I’m not asking you to care as the world cares, Ralph; they’re crazy, but you’re not. We’re not. So let’s pray about my people in Nigeria today…”

Or it might sound like this: “Holy Spirit, my daughter is beleaguered just now. She’s overwhelmed—blah, blah, blah. Are you doing anything with her?” Frankly, this is one of my most common starting points of prayer for people in general. And I don’t “dress myself up with a good attitude” because I’m burdened! He reminds me that He lives in her and is perfectly caring for her. And then a specific item or two appears in my mind that I can pray for or do something about. It’s one or two burdens for me with the Spirit, each in the context and confidence of Christ in my daughter.

All of this gets at Christ in me. We’re together, and knowing Him is the best burden-bearing relief there is. It’s perfect, and that’s the plan. Smiles all around—His and mine.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

See you later.