GodReflection: Power Words

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. – Psalms 95:6

My macho culture taught me as a North American male to “never let’um see you sweat.”

We males don’t ask for directions. We are in charge. We don’t cry. We’re right and humility is a foreign word.

Sounds like as a member of the male species I might benefit from time spent on my knees.

My church tradition ushered the male macho values into its pews. As a male—why should I stand in opposition to what could benefit me? My friend macho seated next to me on my side of the table provides an ally.

I once visited a church in South America where I was a part of the church plant several years before. Upon arrive I noticed change. The members installed kneeling benches to the backs of the pews. They reasoned to kneel before God in worship was an act of submission. It was worship.

It’s hard to argue with their heart or their act.

The apostle Paul once told the church meeting in Ephesus, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”

I love the words of Charles E. Moody’s 1924 hymn. The words moved me consistently.

Kneel at the cross, Christ will meet you there, Come while he waits for you; List to his voice, Leave with him your care, and begin life anew. Kneel at the cross, there is room for all who would His glory share; Bliss there awaits, Harm can ne’er befall those who are anchored there. 

Kneel at the cross, Give your idols up, Look unto realms above; Turn not away to life’s sparkling cup; Trust only in His love. Kneel at the cross, (Kneel at the cross Kneel at the cross), Leave ev’ry care (Leave ev’ry care Leave ev’ry care); Kneel at the cross, (Kneel at the cross), Jesus will meet you there.

I lament my life’s macho posture that wouldn’t kneel before God in worship as a younger man. Unfortunately, with the arthritis of age that is no longer possible.

However, I would like to think that arthritis hasn’t spread to my heart.

At this point in my walk, the word ‘kneel’ is a word of power in my life. I want kneel to be the posture of my heart and an attitude that accompanies me into the street.

I want to recognize with great humility that God is the creator of all things. He is my creator. I want to recognize the greatness of God’s love that erected a cross for the death of His Beloved Son so that I might stand redeemed in His presence. I kneel before that God and at the base of the cross.

I want to be less macho and more humble. To kneel helps to bring that about.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on Kneel as a Power Word.

Gary@GodReflection.org