Having burdens is a part of being human.  Every day we have a new set of challenges that we must face.  Sometimes we continue to deal with stagnate problems that have been plaguing us for days, weeks, months or even years.  What if instead of seeing our problems as burdens, we turned the burdens into blessings?

My children attend a local Christian school.  One of the requirements of attending the school is that the parent or sponsor must participate in fundraising.  Instead of selling candy bars or cookies, our school sells pies.  Not just any pies, but homemade pies made by the parents of the children that attend the school.  My wife and I were pretty involved in pie production last year.  In fact, we were there every day of production.

Parents or sponsors are required to work two pie shifts to fulfill their obligations to the school.  It is amazing how many parents try to work their way out of fulfilling their obligations.  These parents see pie week as an inconvenience or something that burdens their family.  Instead of taking the opportunity to engage other Christians and work beside them, they try to find a way out of making pies.  One of the reasons why we produce pies instead of selling something that is pre-manufactured is because it promotes community and togetherness.

Making pies reminds me of Colossians 3:23.

Colossians 3:23 NASB “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,”

Do we do things for God or to please ourselves and others?

I am sure we do some of both.  It is hard sometimes to catch ourselves in our acts.  As humans, we tend to look at the path of least resistance to guide our way.

How to turn burdens into blessings.

Instead of focusing on the negatives of the situation, try to move on to the positives.  Instead of seeing pie making as an inconvenient headache, why not see it as an opportunity to fellowship with other Christians?  Maybe the person that you are working with does not know Christ or have a relationship with him.  Believe it or not, people are sitting in the pews every week that do not know if they will spend an eternity in heaven or an eternity in hell.

Do you want to miss the opportunity to reach someone that is lost, because you cared more about watching that football game on TV?  How would God measure our decision?  Would he say well done my good and faithful servant or would he ask why missed the opportunity to reach someone?

Philippians 2:3 NASB “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”

Do we see others as more significant than ourselves?  Are we humble and turn burdens into blessings for others and ourselves?  I guarantee you that you will fell much more fulfilled if you put others before yourself.  Do you know why it makes us feel good inside to serve others?  It is because God wants it that way.  When we serve others, we are honoring God.