Two-minute read.
“Just show up!”
Speaking publicly at church after the murder of his son, Mike Cooke uttered those words to the congregation. Having survived five gunshot wounds during the robbery that took Bryan’s life, Mike described the grace he discovered going through the tragedy. When people asked him what they could do, he answered, “Just show up.”
Mike’s words that day impacted my life and gave me directions for how to help them move forward from the tragedy. Time and again, we showed up for them. Listening to Mike tell his story or sitting quietly, saying nothing. Words don’t matter as much as presence, for some things, no words exist that can do any good. But sitting with someone in pain and giving them the gift of presence helps share their burden.
When someone has a burden, and you don’t know how to share it with them, ask them, “How can I best serve you?” They may not know at that moment, but given time, they will have an answer. Knowing you care enough to ask creates a safe space for them to respond. We all carry burdens; having someone willing to share the weight makes the journey so much easier.
Thankfully, we have a Savior who shares all our burdens. The Lord tells us to take His yoke upon us so we can find rest for our souls. Jesus gives us everything we need to persevere. When we lay our burdens at the foot of the cross, we can trust that He will give us rest from them. Christ showed up for us, fulfilling His Father’s will by dying on the cross, bearing our sins, taking the punishment we deserved. Because of the Savior’s actions, we have divine assistance in all we do. And with the Lord’s help, we can show up for others and share their burdens.
Don’t worry about saying the right thing. Showing up and becoming available to serve will help others share their burdens with you. If you see a need, meet a need. And if they don’t have anything for you to do in the moment, remain present until they do. Loving like Jesus means we put their needs before our own. God created us for community, sharing each other’s burdens creates unity, and fulfills the Great Commandment to love God and others.
Show up for people. Walk with them through the trials of life. Experience the joy of the Lord as you serve your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Journal Questions:
Who has shared your burdens?
How can you share someone’s burden today?
In what way does Jesus help you share others’ burdens?
Friendship Application:
Show up for someone in need today and share their burden.
