Heavy Is The Head That Wears The Crown

After the State of the Union address earlier this year, I ran across this photo that showed the difference of President Obama from his 1^st address to his last. I guess it really is the toughest job in the world. It isn’t just this president however.

Look at the last one.

Or one from 150 years ago.

It seems the massive responsibility of being the commander in Chief takes a very physical toil. No matter your party affiliation or your view on the person, we all must recognize the demand leadership takes on those in charge. That amount of stress and responsibility comes with a weight, a burden that can wear down a man.

That weight and burden is just reserved for those that carry the weight of the free world on their shoulders, but is also felt by those men that carry the responsible of the souls of the flock, the elders. Being an elder is one of the weightiest positions any man takes on as the watch over, protect and guide the church of God (Acts 20:28). It is about not only doing the right things but doing them in the right way (1^st Peter 1:5-3). It is a demanding, difficult and indispensable job.

That is why the people of God should remember the words of Hebrews 13:17:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

The eldership will by its very nature have lot of duties that will weigh on these men. We should never add to it by being ungrateful for their efforts, or making their lives miserable by unyielding to their God given duties.

Being as Shephard has enough burdens of its own; let’s not add to it by a troublesome flock!

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Ecclesiastes 12:10

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