One of the things I enjoy most about the movies made from Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” is the camaraderie among the various groups of friends and traveling partners as the character, Frodo, made his way to the mountain where he was to destroy the powerful, evil ring that was a threat to all mankind and which he had vowed to drop into the fires of the mountain, Mordor.
The journey had been long and arduous. Both Frodo and his friend, Sam were at their physical and emotional limit. As they climbed the mountain toward the cave entrance that would lead to the place Frodo must drop the ring, Frodo couldn’t go another step. He could not even stand. All of Sam’s encouraging words were no longer effective because Frodo just didn’t have any more to give.
Since he was the only one who could carry the ring because of its mysterious power to tempt and overwhelm, there was only one thing to do. Sam said, “I may not be able to carry the ring, Mr Frodo, but I can carry you!” And he put the exhausted Frodo over his shoulder and carried him the rest of the way to their goal.
Christians, that is how we of the family of Christ should be to one another. We can’t usually literally bear one another’s burdens, but we can bear one another. We can lift each other up and make sure that no one gets left behind, so to speak, feeling like they are alone and deserted.
"In War No One Fights Alone" - c.e.t.