It has happened once again here in the beautiful east Tennessee. Another round of strong storms blew through over Memorial Day Weekend. Before they were over, trees were down all over the county. And so were power poles. At last count, forty such poles had been stricken throughout our community. And one of these poles was on the frontage road adjacent to where we live.
As I road by and viewed the damage, I could not help but see a picture of how life so often works. Here was a power pole that had likely stood for decades. Down through the years, through thousands of days and nights, through hundreds of changing seasons, and through countless storms and environmental pressures, it stood tall and quietly bore the weight of multiple utility lines.
As a result of its anonymous stress and strain, entire communities of people benefitted from electricity and all its wonders – heat, air conditioning, cooking, entertainment, etc… In short, it stood tall and quietly bore a substantial load all for the benefit of others.
But now, abruptly, unexpectedly, out of nowhere, things had changed. One of the storms that it had been accustomed to facing finally took its toll. And now, that which had been strong was suddenly weak, that which had seemed invincible was suddenly shown to be vulnerable.
And yet, even though the pole was broken, it did not fall. It did not go down. Why? Because of the very load it was accustomed to bearing. You see, that load had been a shared load. The broken pole was not alone in its burden. Other poles had been there as well – to the right and to the left. And now, not only were they holding up their share of the load, but through the lines that connected them, they were also holding up their fallen comrade as well.
The result was not only a broken pole that was still standing; but also a supply of electricity that was still flowing.
A popular song from a generation ago contained these lyrics: “I get by with a little help from my friends.” I like this line. The truth is that sooner or later, we all need others.
So let us bear the burdens of life with joy, knowing that we are serving as a blessing to others as we do. Let us also be comforted in the knowledge that should we ever need the support of others, they will be there for us as well.
And above all, let us remember what the Apostle Paul told the Galatian Christians (chapter 6, verse 2): “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/galatians/6-2.htm.
As a result of its anonymous stress and strain, entire communities of people benefitted from electricity and all its wonders – heat, air conditioning, cooking, entertainment, etc… In short, it stood tall and quietly bore a substantial load all for the benefit of others.
But now, abruptly, unexpectedly, out of nowhere, things had changed. One of the storms that it had been accustomed to facing finally took its toll. And now, that which had been strong was suddenly weak, that which had seemed invincible was suddenly shown to be vulnerable.
And yet, even though the pole was broken, it did not fall. It did not go down. Why? Because of the very load it was accustomed to bearing. You see, that load had been a shared load. The broken pole was not alone in its burden. Other poles had been there as well – to the right and to the left. And now, not only were they holding up their share of the load, but through the lines that connected them, they were also holding up their fallen comrade as well.
The result was not only a broken pole that was still standing; but also a supply of electricity that was still flowing.
A popular song from a generation ago contained these lyrics: “I get by with a little help from my friends.” I like this line. The truth is that sooner or later, we all need others.
So let us bear the burdens of life with joy, knowing that we are serving as a blessing to others as we do. Let us also be comforted in the knowledge that should we ever need the support of others, they will be there for us as well.
And above all, let us remember what the Apostle Paul told the Galatian Christians (chapter 6, verse 2): “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/galatians/6-2.htm.