Bearing burdens, it is something profoundly human. We all have burdens, we all face trials, we all carry sorrows, we all know pain. One of the reasons for the current social crises that are tearing this nation apart is that we have forgotten that. We all seem to think that we are the only people who are suffering or have ever suffered. The whole tenor of our national conversation has become accusatory; the things which are different have become the only defining aspect of our perception of a person. However, the evils of the heart are on clear display everywhere. While that is understandable coming from the world, it is neither understandable nor acceptable in the church. We who have been recipients of the great grace of God, should be the first to dispense grace freely to all with whom we come into contact. The word "burden" is a peculiar word indicating a trial, a crushing load, something exhausting, unmanageable... where we see these burdens upon the backs of another our calling is to come alongside and help. You cannot do this while screaming at someone. You cannot do this with signs, shouts, clenched fists and invectives... but neither can you do this from a safe, sanitary distance. And there can be no resolution so long as anyone thinks that they are not a part of the problem. There are burdens enough on all sides of this current madness, and there is no such thing as righteous anger on any side. We are told in James 1:20 that "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Beloved, the church needs to understand her role in the culture, we are salt and light; but we have ceased to function as either in this age. The great need of this time is for us, as the people of God, to reach out with grace and bear one another's burdens... to care for, to aid, to love all in the name of Christ.