Strength is definitely an area I could use some improvement in...but...
...one thing I have discovered working out cannot prepare me for nor get me used to is kneeling.
You see, recently I have been participating for the first time ever as a Group Leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). In our various leadership meetings, we do something I honestly have not done in far too long. We kneel and pray. Often the floor we are kneeling on is basically concrete covered in a nice shiny thin layer of linoleum. (I now bring a pillow to kneel on, as many of the others do.)
I didn't think much of kneeling until I actually started doing it regularly during our leadership prayer times.
Kneeling is truly humbling. It not only lowers my position and posture in reverence, but it also reminds me of just how weak I am. In this case, physically weak, though my physical pains cause me to recognize how much my heart is out of shape in the prayer and humility arenas.
Additionally I am reminded that we often get so caught up living in a self-absorbed world of thinking we know what is best for us that we become too weak to kneel in humble reverence and submission to the One who created us. The One who alone can give us the strength we need to endure the difficulties of this life. The One who can give us the strength to admit when we are wrong and turn away from our self-indulgent, destructive lifestyle so many have fallen victim to. The One who can give us the strength to kneel.
When was the last time you knelt in prayer? Ever?
Are you in a self-serving period of life?
Do you even recognize it? Do you recognize your need to kneel in humility?
Do you, like me, need strength to kneel?
Go now to the One who made you---Jesus Christ---the only One who can give you the strength and wisdom you need to face the many challenges of this life.
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
~ 1 Samuel 2:7 ~
You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
~ 2 Samuel 22:28 ~
You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.
~ Psalm 18:39 ~
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
~ Psalm 25:9 ~
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time.
~ 1 Peter 5:6 ~
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
~ James 4:10 ~
2 comments:
I really enjoy leadership praying time as well for there are more attributes of God mentioned than you or I have used in our everyday prayers. I have also visited headquarters where I volunteered and was amazed at one of the things I learned about BSF is there is nothing that happens or gets done without prayer happening first and it has been that way since the beginning. your friend misterp
Haelie, this is beautiful. 2 Chronicals 8:14 Humble yourself and pray…. Humble to me means flat on your face in a prone position. Your Mom and I grew up to the “Limbo” dance, “How low can you go.”
At 73 it’s hard to do that on linoleum so I bought a yoga mat, roll up a hand towel and place my forehead on it: I say okay God, this is as low as I can go, what’s next.😇💜
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