1 Timothy 2:1-3 “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”

I was thinking about men and the weight on their shoulders. I then had a flash of me on the treadmill at the gym and two men lifting weights together. One was a spotter, increasing the weight ever so slightly, but also holding the bar so the weight does not crush the one on the bench.

I then starting thanking God for the differing measures of weight men are able to carry. Not all men are the same strength level, which is why not all men are carrying the same amount of weight. The heavier the weight, the more the need for a spotter.

Some men are carrying the weight of their own lives individually, for they are single. Other men are carrying the weight of a wife and some are carrying the weight of a whole family. Some men are carrying the weight of a church or company; while other men are carrying the weight of a city. I was thinking of Mayors.

The stronger men are the more weight they can carry. Some men are carrying a state, we call them governors. Still other men are carrying a country, they can be called Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers.

As I reflected on the varying weights men are invited to carry, I had a strong sense of gratitude arise in me for men who are strong and carry the weight of what God has rested on their shoulders. I then prayed if the weight was too heavy, that other men would see it and grab the bar and lift the weight off of them or spot them as they practice carrying it.

I ended these thoughts with thinking of Jesus Christ, who is carrying the Kingdom of God, the whole of Creation and how the Father and Holy Spirit are right there with Him spotting Him. Psalm 2 says, the nations are the inheritance of Jesus. And Isaiah 9 says the government is on His shoulders.

We serve a really strong God, who carries the nations really well. Thank you men and thank you Jesus, I see the weight you carry and I am grateful for your strength. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org