Load Shedding: A Christian Perspective
Galatians 6
KJV
2+ Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Romans 15
KJV
1+ We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5
KJV
14+ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Galatians 5
KJV
14+ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
1 John 4
KJV
21+ And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
The expression “ load shedding “ is a much dreaded expression that almost every Ghanaian hate to hear! Some call it “ domsor!”
Load shedding was an exercise introduced by the power-generating companies as a way of rationing the limited power they can generate. It was a “burden sharing “ exercise.
This took place at a time when the economy was not in good shape and generating inputs were not available so power plants could not operate at full capacity. Time tables ( schedules) were published and reviewed weekly.
It is the hardship and discomfort that this exercise imposed on the citizenry that made the term “ load shedding” repugnant and nobody wants to hear it again
But come to think of it, the power producers were only complying with what the scriptures enjoined us believers to do-share with others the limited available resources
During the power rationing period the communities were zoned and power was supplied in an alternative fashion. Zone A gets it for a certain duration. After which Zone B and thereafter Zone C!
In effect, we were “ bearing one another’s burden” sharing the discomfort and inconvenience in a way as not to disadvantage anybody. No one must be left in darkness which is exactly what the above scriptures teach.
No one must go to bed on an empty stomach. No one must be denied pleasure or enjoyment; all must enjoy no matter the degree or different levels of enjoyment. The bottom line is that everyone must be happy. This is what “ Bear year one another’s burden “ means.
All the above scriptures have one thing in common ; load ( burden ) sharing ! Those who have must support those who don’t have.
John spoke to this subject more practically.
Read it
1 John 3
KJV
17+ But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
James also added his voice to burden sharing when he asked ;
James 2
KJV
15+ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16+ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
In our rural communities, we see this ( burden sharing ) in action, The following are shared; poverty is shared, pain is shared, sorrow is shared, Joy is shared! When one suffers all suffer, when one is blessed all share in it!
We also see these among genuine friends and lovers; when one is down all help to lift him. When one suffers a mishap all rally round to offer help.
Unfortunately, this is not so among many believers! To them, it is “ everybody for himself, God for us all” Every body for himself, God for us all is an economic philosophy the practice of which creates individual wealth, which eventually divides society as a result of the wide gap between the haves and the have-nots a source of social inequality
Whereas “ burden sharing “ is a philosophy that creates social equality regardless of the prevailing economic inequality.
Burden sharing therefore is a social philosophy the pursuit of which will lead to social peace and harmony. The apostles practised this; read the outcome
Acts 4
KJV
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35+ And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
( Burden sharing in action )
It is my view that many mistook an economic philosophy for the social. Everybody for himself, God for us all is not a social bug an economic philosophy! It is a driving force behind wealth creation
If we therefore desire to create a community of love, just, equal etc then we must revisit the concept of “ load shedding “ ( burden sharing ) where generated power was rationed so no one was left in total darkness.
My thoughts as I reread the scriptures that command us to “ bear ye one another’s burden “. Bear ye one another’s burden is a social philosophy, not an economic one.
Pursue the everybody for himself, God for us all philosophy to create wealth, after which you practice the social philosophy of “ burden sharing” where you share with the disadvantaged what wealth you’ve created.