"Are We Too Busy To Care?"

By: Zach Wood

Galatians 6:2 (NLT)

Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

 

 

As I was reading this Scripture during my morning devotional time yesterday, I was reminded how seldom I find myself sharing in other people's burdens and lives.  I had to cringe as I thought to myself, "Why am I not focusing on other people and their life situations as much as I need to?"  The answer is simply that I'm too focused on my own life and things I need to do and get done.  I'm not saying that I don't consider other people's needs at all, but I could be doing a whole lot better.  Couldn't we all, though? 

 

I love the simple way Paul puts this verse.  He tells us in the most clear way possible to share in other people's lives, troubles, problems and burdens.  I think we find ourselves becoming so busy in life these days that we don't take the time to care about other people.  Sure, we'll listen to a phone call or talk for a few moments with someone we see in a grocery store or gas station. However, do we really take the extra time to sit down with them, perhaps over a cup of coffee or a meal, and focus in on what their need is?  I am still cringing in my heart as I write this because I struggle more than I realize with this issue.  There are times when I become too busy to really care.  It's sad, isn't it?  How many of us have become too busy to care for others?  

 

I love what Paul says in Philippians 2:4, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Paul says that it's not wrong to have concerns for your own needs.  However, it is wrong to focus only on what needs you have and never look to helping other people and their needs.  That's where we go wrong.  We do need to take care of ourselves, but we need to strive to serve Christ by helping out other people and sharing in their troubles and sorrows of life.  That's why we are all a family of God!  I think it's so wonderful when we can get together, whether it's in a small group bible study, Sunday morning corporate worship, or a community activity and share with others.  By listening to each other, we can share stories of hope and life in Christ with each other.  That's how we grow together.  

 

We're not only to share with others who are in the body of Christ, but also those who don't know Christ.  This is the hardest challenge.  We need to be extra sensitive to those who are outside of Christ and listen to the sorrows they have in life.  Perhaps we need to listen and give a caring attitude by sitting down with someone and offering a few words of hope and encouragement.  We could even pray with that person and tell that person God loves him or her.

 

So, are we getting too busy in life to care for others?  I think sometimes we are.  Sometimes we get busy on purpose so our lives don't become interrupted.  We need to ask God to open the eyes of our hearts so we will be open to caring more for others and sharing with them about their lives.  After what Christ has done for us, we simply cannot become too busy in life to share His love with others.  Share and care with someone today.