I'm Fine

And as Jesus passed by, he saw.... John 9:1

The other morning, just before church Service, a friend of mine walked in and began to sit down in her seat.  I smiled and asked her, "How are you doing?"  She barely smiled, and yet she replied, "I'm fine."  I looked at her again and said, "But not really, but no time to talk...right?"  She shook her head yes, and sat down.  I meant to speak with her after the Service, but it never happened.

I often find myself greeting people in the hallway of our church, before and after the Services, on my way to do this or that, and yet most of the time, I don't actually 'stop' to really talk with them.  Some of these people I have known for 30 years, and yet I still don't know anything about them, below the surface.

And they don't really know me.

Why is that?

Do we tell people we are "fine" because we don't want anyone to know what's wrong?  Or is it because no one will take the time to really listen?

Or is it the honest fact that we have grown cold and don't have the time to really care?

"And because Iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."  Matthew 24:12

Galatians 6:2 says-Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Bear- means to support the weight of.  A perfect example of that was when Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses to prevail against the Amalekites.  When Moses tired and could no longer hold up his arms, Hur and Aaron held them up for him.  Victory was won with the help of his friends. (Exodus 17:11,12)

Fulfill- means to accomplish, achieve, carry out and perform.

By supporting each other through our hard times, we can fulfill the law of Christ.  We can be an encouragement to those around us when we really take the time to care.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says:  A serving Christian lends a helping hand with heavy loads.  Though the principle would apply to all burdens, the context has special reference to the heavy, oppressive weight of temptation and spiritual failure.  While the 'spiritual' do the work of restoring, ALL believers are to be involved by prayer and encouragement.  This, Paul wrote, will fulfill the law of Christ, that is, the principle of love.

So what is the law of Christ?

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

When Jesus passed by, He was always looking to help those in need.  Why?  Because He was looking with love.

I want to be more like Jesus.

The next time I ask someone how they are doing, I'm not going to ask while walking by.

I will take the time to stop and listen to what they really have to say.  Maybe I can lift someone's burden and fulfill the Law of Christ.

But that's just me!