Kneeling is becoming the symbol of this generations protest. Previous generations had the fist in the air, which symbolized defiance or resistance. Kneeling is more of a humbling gesture, throughout history it was a sign of deep respect for a person in authority.
As believers we kneel when we pray to show reverence to God, one of the few postures that we use. It symbolizes surrendering to his will as we give Him our petitions or listening to His voice.
Kneeling was recorded as early as Genesis, when Abraham went out to meet the three angels. Throughout the Bible there are accounts of people kneeling. Even Jesus knelt down as he prayed to The Father.
So what’s the deal with all the kneeling today? We can go back to 2016, Colin Kaepernick began protesting injustice back then by kneeling during the American anthem. Many people took offense to it saying it was disrespectful to the flag. In contrast, Tim Tebow was also criticized because he was kneeling during games. He quickly addressed the issue and let the world know he was kneeling to give praise to God.
Fast forward to what sparked today’s movement, a knee that killed George Floyd. In response to this horrific act people from around the world, including politicians, are kneeling in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement. There have been more accounts of police and protesters kneeling together. Every time I see a picture of that, it brings me to tears. If kneeling started as defiant and resulted in forgiveness, healing and honoring each other then that’s all God!
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NIV
God is showing us something. There is a move of God to bring everyone to their knees. We should do it willingly and we should make sure that we acknowledge Him in this process. We can move on from this if we put God back in his rightful place in our hearts and in this land.
If you think any of this is by coincidence then you are delusional. First we get a pandemic that brings every nation to their knees in prayer. Then we have civil unrest around the globe that is bringing everyone to their knees once again.
“By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.”
~Isaiah 45:23~
If you are still in denial that any of this is God I leave you with this. In 1619 there were 20 Africans that were brought to Jamestown, Virginia to be sold as slaves. This was just over 400 years ago. In Genesis 15:13, “God said to Abram, know for sure that your children and those born after them will be strangers in a land that is not theirs. There they will be servants and suffer for 400 years”.
Now I know what you’re thinking and yes you’re right, this was about the Israelites. However we also know this:
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV
Our brothers and sisters are angry. They have endured so much for so long. Dismissing their plight because you can’t comprehend it, is wrong. Trying to close the mouths of the people that are speaking out, is wrong. We can agree to disagree but do not allow anyone to silence you. We have been called to speak for those you cannot speak for themselves. So let’s all get on our knees and pray for His will to be done, not our own. Let’s be mindful for what God is allowing in this season. He has a plan and a purpose although we may not fully understand it.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter
~Martin Luther King~
