| Galatians 6:2 – “Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you truly obey the law of Christ.” |
For most of us, life presents challenges that we can overcome with determination. But there are those who require something more to keep going.
This was true for Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
Solzhenitsyn had fought in the most brutal battles of World War II as a member of the Russian army. However, his life took a drastic turn when he wrote a letter criticizing Soviet leader Josef Stalin and was subsequently sentenced to eight grueling years in a frozen Siberian labor camp. Upon his release, he was forbidden to return home. The conditions in the camp became unbearable. Solzhenitsyn reached his breaking point and became utterly disheartened. He decided that life was no longer worth living and planned to end his. His plan was simple: he would stop working in the field, lean on his shovel, and wait for the guards to come and beat him to death in their fury.
But something happened when he stopped. Another prisoner, in a small act of kindness, reached over with his shovel and swiftly drew a cross at Solzhenitsyn’s feet. He then erased it to ensure the guards wouldn’t see.
In that moment, Solzhenitsyn felt a surge of energy, ignited by this simple reminder of hope and courage. He found the strength to carry on because a fellow believer cared for him. And carry on he did.
When Khrushchev rose to power, Solzhenitsyn was finally set free. He went on to write numerous works, but his most renowned was the Gulag Archipelago, a harrowing account of his experiences in Siberia. This masterpiece earned him two remarkable achievements: exile to the United States, where he taught at Harvard, and a Nobel Prize.
Imagine the impact of one small act that prevented a tragic waste. People simply need someone to lend a helping hand during their darkest times. Paul understood this need and urged the Galatians, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, NIV).
Never forget that the cross drawn at Solzhenitsyn’s feet kept him going. Perhaps today, a similar gesture can provide solace and support to others.
Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
