| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “The end of anxiety and despair” Our Bible verse for today: “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (CSB) Our thought for today: “I need you, you need me, we all need each other” I was a teenager and young adult towards the end of the hippie-era in the mid-late 60s and early 70s. It was the “Peace and Love” generation and we sure did love songs about peace, love, unity, and the brotherhood of man. One of the most popular ballads to come out of that era was a song with the title, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”, which was a big hit for the rock group the Hollies. The first verse and chorus goes: The road is long, with many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where, who knows where But I’m strong, strong enough to carry him He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother So on we go His welfare is my concern No burden is he to bear We’ll get there The phrase, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” actually came from Father Edward Flanagan, a Catholic priest and the founder of Boy’s Town in Omaha, Nebraska. It was a place where troubled or homeless boys could come for help. In 1943, Father Flanagan saw an older brother carrying his younger brother on his back. The phrase “he ain’t heavy he’s my brother” came to him in that moment and he wrote about it in a magazine article. Eventually it became the theme for a much-loved and very inspirational song. Yesterday I said that those of us who know and love someone who is currently struggling with anxiety and despair can help them by simply letting them know we care and that we will help if we can. I think that mindset needs to also apply to Christian life in general, and to church life in particular. The road through life is long, and it is often troubled and challenging. At times we all struggle with anxiety, doubts, and despair. That’s when we need each other most. The truth is that sometimes I need you, and sometimes you need me, and always we all need each other. Will you carry an extra burden for someone today? How about tomorrow when you gather with your church family? Someone could probably use your help right now. By the way, if you Google that song you will find a YouTube video to play it for you. That would be a nice way to end this devotional time and to begin the weekend. God bless, Pastor Jim |
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