Last Sunday, during worship, I did what the song we were singing suggested. I bowed down before God. It felt a little strange. And the fact that I am in the front row caused me a moment's pause wondering if people would be concerned as to whether I was feeling o.k. In addition, I didn't want to draw attention to myself, I wanted to honor the Lord in one of the ways He has said is appropriate. So I knelt there on the floor singing of my submission to God while assuming a posture of submission.
Those who know me know that I am not much of a mystic in my theology or practice. But I must tell you that since last Sunday I have been particularly sensitive to who God is and what He has done for me. As I write this I am at the Leadership Conference for my denomination. In each worship service I have found myself in tears as I have been reminded of God's great love for me who has nothing to offer except everything I am and everything I have. That sounds like a lot unless you understand what He paid for you.
I don't understand all that God is stirring in me. I've tried to pass it off as sleep deprivation (the brother-in-Christ with whom I am sharing a room snores enough to rattle the windows). But there is something more. I am humbled to know that God loved me enough to die in my place. I am humbled to know that God has used me to further His kingdom. I am humbled to know that God has given me the wife I need and whom I love. But there is something more. My position in worship reinforces my position in Him. Having assumed the position, I am aware of my total dependence on God for my salvation and the life that proceeds from that. Why does bowing doing this? I don't have all the answers, but I suspect it has something to do acknowledging physically what is true of us spiritually. Let me suggest one more thing as I close. We're going to be bowing a lot in heaven, according to the Bible, so we might as well get some practice in now.
3 comments:
Your blog today really moved me, and reminded me of my times in the Russian Orthodox churches. Worshippers there are often seen "standing on their knees" and, yes, kissing the Bible. Mystic or no - it requires humility to make one's self low. Our culture is built on pride - but theirs, on the recognition that God and others are worthy of respect. Prior to the Revolution, Russian village homes were built with small doorways, forcing the person entering to duck to enter, and in so doing "bow" to the "Red Corner" - where the home's icons sat - and bow to the host who welcomed them to tea.
I don't mean to suggest that this "enforced" humility is appropriate here. I simply wanted to applaud your willingness to put God on the throne, in spite of the awkwardness you felt, and to share that in other places, it isn't awkward at all.
Makes me wonder if we really are - or ever were - one nation under God...
Jeanette
What a beautiful picture Jeanette, thank you.
I think that as north american christians, we are sometimes taught that there is something evil about our bodies and so we try to distance ourselves from them. Although this idea has more to do with what Buddha and Plato taught it has somehow become welded to our religous culture here.
I love how with the slightest encouragement our bodies and spirits jump back into the dance.
This is dangerous experientialism. You are worshipping the experience within your own body and mind. This is what is happening in the new mystical practices within the EFCA. You are not keeping your flock theologically straight. You devour the sheep. sammyhazzard at yahoo dot com
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