In Galatians 6:2, Paul says the following: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  I think that’s a beautiful description, and call, of Christians living in community. When one person finds themselves burdened with grief, the community expresses their love by visiting with that person, praying for that person, and bringing them meals that they might otherwise skip because of their grief.

I gave just one example. You could come up with three more, I’m sure. “Carrying each other’s burdens” can be expressed in a million ways, sometimes physical, sometimes emotional, sometimes spiritual. In England, however, they’ve carried this to a whole new and silly level. It’s called the Annual Wife-Carrying Race.

While only in its 18^th year, the idea of the race comes from 19^th Century lore in Finland that says that gangs would raid villages and pillage women, carrying them out on their shoulders. So, this race recreates that image, which (and you might need to look this up) looks sillier than you think. Everyone enjoys a piggy-back ride. I enjoyed them as a kid and enjoyed carrying my kids as an adult.  But no, wife-carrying does not work that way. It appears that weight distribution happens better when the wife is inverted. Her legs stick out in front of her hubby, and her head is, well, depending upon her height, around his, um, waist.

So, while her head is throbbing from hanging upside down, and bouncing from his, um, back, she has the horrifying job of hanging on for dear life as they race up a hill. The guy has to run both and carry the weight, holding on tightly to her legs sticking out in front of him. Talk about taking the vow “to have and to hold” literally! Oh dear!

This past week, the race was in the English countryside, and a Finnish couple won first place. The runners-up (so to speak) were a British couple who will represent England in Finland’s race in July. And, this is just for free, you need to know that the race happened in Dorking, Surrey. Indeed!

Seriously now, St. Paul’s idea of carrying one another’s burdens gains some insight from this race. Let me share some thoughts:

1. Carrying one another’s burdens can be hard.

2. It can also be fun.

3. I think particularly as Americans, where we have been taught to “pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps,”

     receiving help can feel awkward. Being carried can often, but incorrectly, feel demeaning.

4. When the whole community gets involved, cheering the grace (I use the word only in a theological sense) on,

           the load lightens and the pace quickens.

Yes, there are lessons to be found in just about everything under heaven. Even in a wife-carrying race in Dorking, England. Let us be ever learning and uplifting.

Praising the One who has lifted all our burdens,

Craig

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.1 Peter 4:10