In Galatians 6:2, Paul writes, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” On the surface this seems like a great command in that it means that we are walking with people through the difficult times in life, we are being the body of Christ, and we are doing the very thing for others that Jesus has done for us. And it is all those things, but it is also one other thing… HARD!
Over the past week I have had the opportunity to walk with college students who are going through very painful things in life. Things like drug abuse, broken relationships, issues with sexuality… and some others. As their pastor I am so honored to walk with my people through the hard times in life and to help them find healing and redemption in Jesus, but I am finding out more and more that the weight of what they are going through weighs heavily on my heart. And, because these are people who I care about deeply, I can’t just let it go when the meeting is over.
I have been reminded of a few things over the past few days that have helped me:
- while God may use me in the process of helping these students, it is HE who does the healing. I need to remember that.
- I need to be constantly connected to the vine in order to speak life into the lives of people who I am shepherding.
- I need to remember that God loves these people more than I ever could.
- I need to remember that sin sucks and it will destroy lives.
Just a few thoughts from the places that I have been living over the past few days. Retreats are amazing times. One of the things that is so amazing about them is that they allow groups to get to a deeper place of honesty with each other. But, when that happens, we must be ready for the heaviness and the call to walk with people that comes with that.
I’m so grateful for the chance to walk with college students.
