Kingdom Men Are in the Battle TogetherSample

Awakening to a biblical sense of manhood requires the commitment and the discipline of honoring God in all we do. This doesn’t just happen overnight but is formed in us over the course of our lives. It doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Nor do we step into the role of being a kingdom man by our own strength. No difficulty is overcome by trying to take all the weight on our own shoulders. We need each other. We are in this together. That’s why God, throughout Scripture, emphasizes unity, the power of fellowship, and the process of discipleship.

If you watched The Lord of Rings films, you’ll probably remember one of its most famous scenes, which occurs toward the end of The Return of the King. The main character, Frodo, whose role was to save the world by carrying the burden of the evil ring to its destruction, had lost all his strength. He lay on the stony ground, unable to move another step forward. If he could not make it to the top of the mountain and throw the ring in the fire, the quest would be lost.

That’s when his companion, Sam, made a bold move. Scooping Frodo up in his arms and placing him onto his back, Sam chose to carry Frodo on his back when Frodo could no longer move forward on his own. “Come on, Mr. Frodo,” he said with all the strength he could muster, “I can’t carry it for you—but I can carry you.” Similarly, we as men may not be able to bear the burdens that others must carry, but we can do our part to lift, encourage, support, and draw near to those in need. We can help them finish the task when they face the evil that threatens to defeat them.

What hesitancies do you have about helping other men carry their burdens?

What can you do to overcome these hesitancies so you can fulfill your role as a kingdom man?