17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. ~ Proverbs 17:17NIV
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12NIV
Every one of us has burdens that weigh us down. Burdens that cause us stress, pain, heartache, or oppression. The book of Proverbs says:
17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17NIV
We are to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), help each other when one stumbles (Luke 22:32). We are to be a Samwise Gamgee to our friends.
In the Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins is given a powerful ring that he must carry across the earth to destroy it. No one else can carry this burden for him. Despite this, his gardener, Samwise Gamgee, goes with him and refuses to leave his side. He constantly saves and protects Frodo throughout his journey. Even when Frodo, essentially, betrays him, Sam comes to Frodo’s rescue. At the end of their journey when Frodo is so overwhelmed and worn out from his burden, he can no longer walk. So Sam, scoops him up in his arms and says:
I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.
And he carries Frodo the rest of the way so that he could fulfill his purpose. Sam didn’t care about the power the ring could give him. He didn’t care about the fact that Frodo had betrayed him, or that he himself was tired and exhausted. Sam was there for Frodo whenever he needed a friend. That is the kind of friendship God is calling us to.
A friendship that isn’t selfish and self-serving, but one of selflessness and love. One of carrying someone when you can’t carry their burden for them. Being a shoulder to lean on or a hand to hold. We are called to be more than just a good friend, we are called to be Christ to the world.
The only way we can do that, is to start by building our lives on the Rock. And building up our spirit man. We have to spend time in the Word of God. We have to pray, fast, and worship. We have to make God our main priority, so that when we have the opportunity to be a Samwise Gamgee, we’ll be strong enough to do so.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be A Sam.