On our knees

Just a relaxed summer pose from a few years ago, but indicative of this year's summer, once VBS was history. It's been completely lovely, and I hate to see it end. Anyone with me on that? Raise hands.

While walking the trail this week, I noticed an interesting black tee shirt: I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees. Certainly an apt motto for one who desires to live fully, and give 100% to all her endeavors. But it begs the question: Why can't we do both? Both live on our knees, and live fully on our feet? In fact, I would argue that living on our knees is the only way to die on our feet, living fully until the end.

Philippians 4:13 says this about that very thing: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Do you see both there? Remember imperatives and indicatives, two of my favorite Bible study words? We can do all things, why? Because of Christ who gives us strength. How do we appropriate/ask for/even whine for Christ's strength? On our knees. Frankly, we are helpless without him.

The battle belongs to the Lord, so, while we may be dying on our feet, we are acknowledging his governance of all things on our knees.

The tee-shirt paraphrased (if I actually designed and wore such things): I would rather die on my feet after spending life on my knees.