In Act 3, Scene 2 of Shakespeare’s King Henry IV, Part 2, Henry grumbles “uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” His lamentation has reverberated through the centuries, and is perhaps the most eloquent testimony we have in the English language of the challenges and conflicts that come with success. As we ascend the ladder of success, we face difficulties and demands that are not evident to those who are positioned on lower rungs.

The recent struggles of Ja Morant, the star of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Memphis Grizzles, are a compelling reminder of that fact. I really like Ja Morant. I like the fact that he is from South Carolina, as are both of my parents. I like the fact that he did not attend an elite high school, nor an elite college, but still has all of the makings of an elite professional. I like the style and swagger, brio and bravado with which he plays the game. Only 6’2 and 175 pounds (and that is probably being generous), Ja has an Allen Iverson-esque lack of fear or intimidation. I like him so much that I referenced him in one of my messages. (check it out here). And I like him so much that last year Mrs. Robinson to bought me tickets to go see him play in Memphis as an advance birthday gift.

And I am not the only one who likes Ja Morant. The Memphis Grizzles like him so much that on July 1, they offered him a five-year, $192 million dollar rookie max extension. And not only do the Memphis Grizzles like him, but NBA fans like him. His jersey is the sixth best selling jersey among NBA fans, who also voted him an all star—only the second player in Memphis Grizzles franchise history to achieve that distinction.

But alas, “uneasy lies the head the wears the crown.” After being crowned with all of these honors, their collective weight seems to have affected the young man. He has been involved in a series of incidents (including waving a gun in a self taped video posted on social media) that precipitated a police investigation and an eventual eight game suspension from the NBA. In announcing his suspension, NBA Comissioiner Adam Silver said that Mr. Morant has engaged in “behavior that was detrimental to the league.” He went on to say that “"Ja's conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous. It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. “ Ouch.

Mr. Morant has expressed remorse, offered apologies, and has admitted his need for growth. I am hopeful that he will grow. I feel for him. I’m not sure how well any of us could handle that amount of money, success, and responsibility at 23. But alas, “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to experience the struggles that come with success. As we ascend the ladder of success, we face difficulties and demands that are not evident to those who are positioned on lower rungs. Married folks face challenges unmarried folks do not. Parents face challenges that non-parents do not. Bosses face challenges that employees do not. Home owners face challenges that renters do not. And Christians face challenges that non-Christians do not.

There is an obscure passage of scripture that marvelously depicts this truth. in 2 Samuel 12:30-32, the scripture tells us that

So David gathered the rest of the army and went to Rabbah, and he fought against it and captured it. David removed the crown from the king’s head, and it was placed on his own head. The crown was made of gold and set with gems, and it weighed seventy-five pounds.

Can you imagine how uncomfortable a 75 pound crown must be to place on your head? Moreover, can you imagine how strong your neck has to be to wear a crown that heavy?

75 pounds???

Do you know how much weight that is on your head?????

Most people can’t bench press 75 pounds!!!

75 pounds??? I was curious, so I googled “items that weigh 75 pounds.” Among the results were “a tempered glass dining table, an electric bike, a workbench, a chest freezer, and a sofa—none of which I would want on my head. LOL.

The weight of that crown is a metaphor for the weight of success. Alas, uneasy is the head that wears the crown.

This is why the Bible instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:2 to pray for those who are in authority. Without prayer, the weight of what they carry will crush them.

This is also why we should not envy those who are successful. Anyone who has achieved lasting success has proven themselves strong enough to take the weight.

And this is also finally why we should not be in a rush to climb the ladder of success. Instead, we must allow God to develop, strengthen, and mature us on each level and at each step so that when we arrive at the place of destiny, we have the power to take the weight with grace.

For alas, uneasy is the head the wears the crown.