He Ain't Heavy

 

(Photo Credit: Drobot Dean)

A teenage boy is carrying a smaller boy on his back as he walks down the street. The small boy has heavy braces on his legs. When a passerby asks the teen if carrying the boy is difficult, he replies, “He ain’t heavy… he’s my brother.”

You’re probably familiar with that story. It’s based on a true story that took place in 1918 at Boys Town, a home in Nebraska for abandoned boys. The older boy’s response shows how doing something out of love, rather than merely out of obligation, takes the weight off it. Even if the task appears difficult, doing it willingly and lovingly makes it easier.

 “Tend the flock of God in your midst. Watch over it, not as a duty, but willingly, as God would have it, not for sordid gain, but because you are eager to do so.”   – 1 Peter 5:2

While this verse is directed at Church leaders, it holds a lesson for all of us. We may not be in a position of authority, but we all have ‘flocks’ to serve.

What is the ‘flock in your midst’? It’s the people around you, wherever you are. It’s your coworkers, neighbors, family, friends, enemies, and the people you pass on the street. In other words, it’s everyone we encounter. We’re instructed to serve each other, to ‘carry’ each other, not out of duty but willingly.

How do we shift from serving others merely out of obligation to serving gladly? We start by reminding ourselves to see Christ in every person we meet:  the needy coworker, the slow student, the panhandler we try to ignore on the corner.

May we seek to put their needs ahead of our own and serve them eagerly, lovingly, and joyfully. May we give not out of selfish ambition, not for thanks, praise, or payment, but out of our genuine desire to serve God. May the only reward we hope for be the approval of our Lord Jesus Christ and His promise of eternal life. And when tasks appear difficult, may we remember that serving with love lightens the load.

“Free my heart, Lord, to serve You and others in joyful, loving service.”

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