This is the first Christmas in six years where I’m not scrambling to decorate a church for Christmas, recruit new and old volunteers, and find time to enjoy friends and family. I have time. It’s crazy and such a gift. In this season of down time, God gave me a word, “BOW DOWN”. I don’t fully know the meaning or purpose of this yet, but God has led me to a couple different ways of “studying” it and discovering what He might mean. First, I’ve been listening to the song Defender, over and over. The bridge sings, “All I did was praise. All I did was worship. All I did was BOW DOWN. All I did was stay still.” These words describe this season for me. I feel I am to just “be” in His presence, worship Him, and let Him show up and show off. I also felt led to study The Christmas Story in regards to the words bow down.
So, I started in the book of Matthew, the first account of Jesus’ birth. The first time we see “bow down” in Matthew’s gospel is when the wise men come and fall down before Jesus and worship him. Matthew 2:11 says, “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” What was the significance for them to bow down? (We’ll talk about the significance of their gifts in another post). These wise, knowledgeable men, were not only in awe and worship of The Messiah, but in complete surrender of their treasures and gifts as well. I wholeheartedly resonate with this concept in this season. Daily, I am on my knees in prayer for my life’s direction as well as for provision of future clients. My prayer has been: Jesus, help me use the gifts you’ve given me, wherever, however, and with whomever. After reading this verse, I’ve extended that prayer to not just my gifts, but my treasures as well. Jesus, use my house for Your glory, make it a safe place and refuge for me and every person who enters my door. Use my money, in this season of no income, multiply, provide, and lead me to give however you see fit. Use me in my relationships with those I hold dearest to me, help me encourage, care for, and spur on those around me. Use my time, help me fill my schedule with what You would have me do and who You would have me meet or talk with.
For today, I am challenged to bow down to His lordship and fully surrender everything I have, my treasures and gifts, and watch what HE does. Holding with open hands all I have. Surrendering my will to whatever HE has planned. Learning to be still and surrendered to His direction, whether He uses a star to guide me or simply the stillness of my schedule to remind me: He is worthy. Worthy of my worship, praise, adoration, time, treasures, and gifts. To Him and Him alone, I bow down.