BOWING DOWN

As I begin my meditation today I have a desire to bow down to the Lord. I don’t mean just in my mind but on my knees. This bowing down has become an interesting thing because it is hardly practiced anymore. There are reasons for this. Unless we bow down alone others seem to view us as being a bit radical and showy with our practices and would rather keep such practices private. In public meetings where Christian gather it is rare to see anyone bow down in a so-called ‘worship service’ unless they are part of the Catholic or Episcopal traditions that include bowing down, or kneeling, as part of a liturgical practice. Protestants, I believe, don’t bow much because they might appear a little too Catholic. The principle of something such as bowing down is obviously much larger than the practice itself. To bow means to bend, or to bend the knees. To kneel is a closely related idea and means to bow the knees or to fall prostrate and signifies the act of one imploring aid or of one expressing reverence and honor. Kneel is from the word knee and bow is to bend. To kneel or to bow is more than an attitude. It requires an actual bending of the knees as an act of prayer or respect.

I have no idea how many times I have been in a ‘worship service’ and singing, ‘Let us bow down…’ and not one of us did so. Not to be legal… but that’s kinda weird.

“You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Jesus