How For King and Country's 'Shoulders' Made Me Feel Seen as Someone With a Disability

Several years ago, I was introduced to Christian pop duo For King & Country’s song “Shoulders.” Unlike most things I encounter, the song speaks to the experience of someone who is both a Christian and has health problems. I often feel like my life is divided into two worlds, the world of my disability and the world of my faith. The chorus of “Shoulders” speaks poignantly to both:

My help comes from You
You’re right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness
All on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

My help comes from You
You are my rest, my rescue
I don’t have to see to believe that
You’re lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

Since discovering “Shoulders,” it has become one of my favorite songs. It reminds me of God’s presence in spite of my circumstances.

A couple of weeks ago, I watched a For King & Country concert virtually. I enjoy several of their songs, but I was waiting for them to sing “Shoulders.” When they did, the response of the crowd to it affected me deeply. It was obvious that many of them had been anticipating the song, and they sang it passionately. To watch a crowd sing words that mean so much to me made me feel seen and accepted.

Witnessing that made me realize that I am not as different from able-bodied people as it seems. We all have struggles and pain. We all are dependent on others to some extent. Our bodies put limits on all of us. Though we need to advocate for disability rights and accommodations, we also need common ground. I believe we are all weak humans who depend on God and each other.

“Shoulders” recognizes disabled people and those with chronic health conditions without othering them. The message is not “We see you over there,” but “We see you, and you belong with us.” The second message is what disabled people need to hear, and what is often lacking in conversations about disabilities.