The “one another”s of the Bible and hiking

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The Bible has a lot to say about the “one another”s throughout its pages. I was reminded of these last fall and have continued to notice them off-and-on without thinking much of it until recently. Then I realized how impactful these “one another”s are.

I had the opportunity to join friends on a hike to a nearby waterfall (about an hour or more’s walk from our center). The hike ended up being very difficult for me at times and as I tried to get my thoughts off of myself at one rest stop, I realized how similar this stuff is to our walk in the body of Christ. I’d like explain what I mean with pictures:

We start out, often seeing a flatter easier trail and frequently find ourselves in the company of others journeying this way. We see the hills ahead and know that it will not be easy ahead but…”so far so good”, we think to ourselves, and we step out with confidence, enjoying the company of our companions.

After a time–and a time will come–the trail narrows, the hills rise, the clouds sweep in, and storms threaten. Some face this with trepidation, others with anticipation. But we walk on, still enjoying the company we find ourselves in.
But as we go on, we realize that some are traversing this ground much easier and faster than we are. Perhaps they have prepared more, perhaps they are fitter for this trail, or perhaps they have walked this trail many times in the past and are comfortable with the familiar ground. Others ahead of us seem to find this trail easy while we begin to falter, tire, and struggle.
Soon it seems, we find ourselves alone with others moving farther and farther ahead of us on their way. The trail still before but our hearts and energy waning. The loneliness of the land sweeps through us and overwhelms us with the momentous task before us. (Please rest assured, I was never left alone on this hike but could easily remember times in life where, though maybe not alone, I felt very alone!)
Then, perhaps, we are passed by one who carries a much larger burden than we do. We can barely get ourselves up the trail let alone traverse it easily with all that she carries! And we feel ashamed at our ineptitude and inability.
Then, at times, it feels as though the trail for the next footfall is barely visible! Are we walking off into nothing? Ready to slide down these steep hills? But then the trail and bit of rock for our next step becomes visible and we carefully continue on. Our lungs burn, our legs are jelly, sweat rolls down our face and back. “Just one more step. That’s what it will take. Just one more step,” we tell ourselves. And with each step we continue moving forward up the trail.

Weary, taking a “breather” after every 2-3 faltering steps, we realize that we cannot continue without help. Swallowing pride and shame, summoning up courage, we ask our fellow travelers, “Can you please help me?” And two cheerful companions step in, take your burden onto their own backs and begin to patiently help you take the next few steps, rest, and the next few steps–sometimes supporting with arms around us, half carrying us. Other times, we grab hold of their hands or packs, allowing them to be our momentum to keep walking. Somehow, weary and tired seem not so weary and tired with companions.
But when we all arrive, there is rest. There is refreshment. There is nourishment and drink.The fellowship is sweet and unhurried. Renewed, we are again able to face the trail.
And then the way back is not quite so hard. Not quite so lonely. Though the group again spreads out and some move faster than others, we find ourselves in the company of new companions and even able to give others help now and then as we go on together.

This is body life for believers in Jesus Christ. When I thanked my two friends for being so patient and helping me so much, one just shrugged and said, “That’s what we’re here for right? You’re part of our team and we want to help you make it.”  The verse “Bear ye one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2) now has fuller meaning.