bearing burdens

Spoiler alert: If you have not seen all of the Pirates of the Caribbean films and are still hoping to watch them, then I would advise you to not read any further. :-)

The second film ends with Keira Knightley making a decision to kill the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). Her act is motivated by the belief that his death is the only way to protect and save herself, her fiancé and the rest of the crew. However, after she makes this heavy decision and carries it out without the knowledge of anyone else, the third film opens with her feeling absolutely wretched over what she has done.

The one she loves misinterprets her misery and a rift forms between them. When it is later revealed that she was, in fact, responsible for killing Jack, her fiancé looks at her aghast, and exclaims, “Why didn't you tell me?”

Her response: “It was not your burden to bear.”

To a significant degree, I can understand her line of thinking.

But is it biblical?

We have each been assigned our portion and our cup (Ps. 16:5), and the Lord will not give us more than we can bear. He himself promises to bear our burdens daily and to carry our yoke.

So if God is sufficient to help us through, then we shouldn't add to the burdens of others by pouring our woes into their yokes, right?

Surely, like Keira Knightley, the reasoning is a noble one. If the people we love are not directly involved, then it would make sense to keep our troubles from them to protect them from unnecessary heartache.

However, in the third 'Pirates' film, the tables are turned. Knightley's fiancé has his own secret motives and when all is revealed, Knightley finds herself on the other side. Feeling betrayed, she asks, “Why didn't you tell me?” To which he retorts, “It was not your burden to bear.”

As is daily recited in our house, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”

So?

What would we want others to do in this regard? Would we not want to be given opportunity to help those in need, to comfort those in distress?

Paul says in Philippians 4:14 that it was good of the Philippians to share in his troubles. Even the 'mighty' Paul humbled himself to allow others to serve him.

Yes, we are to serve and we are to find joy in doing so. But we must also strive to humble ourselves to allow others the opportunity to serve and bear our burdens as well. Even if it is not their burden to bear.

“Carry each other's burdens...”

Galatians 6:2

___________________________________________

The Servant Song

by Richard Gillard

Brother, let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too

We are pilgrims on a journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear

I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I'll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through

When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we've known together
Of Christ's love and agony

Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too