Oversize Loads

While driving up the mountain near Sam’s Gap in Tennessee on Interstate 26, I passed something I’ve never seen before. As I came around a curve, there in front of me was a heavy hauling oversize load.  The convoy was travelling at a very slow rate of speed with a multitude of flashing caution lights.  I could not identify the load due to it being covered.  At the front of the load was a tractor obviously pulling up hill, but behind the oversize load was another tractor pushing that heavy load up the mountain.  (Something like what is pictured below.)

Quickly, I thought to myself, that is a picture of the body of Christ. Many times in our life, it seems like we are climbing alone up a mountain. Sometimes the loads of life are heavy and oversize to us. First of all, the Lord tells us to cast all our care upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). But second of all, the Church is exhorted to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Do you see the picture of that oversize load where one tractor is pulling the load and another tractor is behind helping to push? That should be seen in the body of Christ when one who is heavy laden is casting their care upon the Lord.  But also, there’s a believer in front leading the way, pulling, saying,  Follow me as I follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).  Right behind that heavy-laden one is a believer pushing and encouraging saying, “You can make it! We can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).

On this particular day I needed that illustration. Perhaps you do, too. Thank you, Lord, for what you teach me along life’s way and for your blessings on me. Thank you, Lord, for how good and pleasant it is when the body of Christ works in unity bearing one another’s burdens!!