When was the last time you looked at your church from your knees? There is a whole different perspective down there. You see, usually we see each other from the pew. Most of the time, it is the very impersonal greeting of the back of someone’s head. Preachers, pastors, and worship leaders get the unique perspective of seeing a crowd of faces, which is much more pleasant, but it is normally from a platform where they are elevated.
I have spent a lot of extra time at the altar in this season. I have been driven to my knees by uncertainty, conviction, and concern. Granted, this is most common when no one else is around. But still, I have a totally different view thanks to my prostration. When people are present and I am at the altar, I see not their smiles or frowns. I don’t behold their fashion choices or faux pas. I can’t tell you whether they themselves are praying or not.
What I do see are feet. Feet have a unique symbolism in Scripture. They represent the most humble part of the person. When someone bows at someone else’s feet, it is a sign of reverence and humility. There are several passages in the Bible featuring people bowing at the feet of Jesus and each time something incredible happens. Feet are even referred to as beautiful by the Apostle Paul because they help us carry the Gospel. And, of course, feet were the object of Jesus’s attention after the last supper. When he finished washing His disciples’ feet, he said:
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15)
Now, as a Free Will Baptist, I take this statement to mean that the washing of the saints’ feet is a sacrament (we should do it as often as we take communion). But even if you disagree with that sentiment, you must agree that there is, at least, some gesture that is required of us, right? We are to humble ourselves before one another. Paul is very plain about this in his letter to the Philippian Church:
“...in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (2:3-4)
Yet, I think it goes without saying that the Church is not notorious for its humility. Not only do outsiders perceive us as looking down on them, but also on each other. I cannot help but think that reason we lack humility toward one another, why do not submit to one another as we ought (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5), has something to do with the fact that we don’t submit ourselves to God as we ought (Romans 10:3, James 4:7). In fact, submission is rejected by our society, even in the culture of the Church in America.
We don’t see each other’s feet because we don’t humble ourselves before each other. We don’t humble ourselves before each other because we don’t humble ourselves before God. We, instead, lift ourselves up, which, according to Jesus, leads to our own downfall (Luke 14:11). James concludes that we have fighting amongst ourselves because God resists the proud (4:1-6).
So, let’s ask the question: What would happen if we used our altars more, or even at all?
The short answer is that we see each other’s feet and be reminded of the stance we ought to have before God and our fellow man. If we got down on our knees and asked God to help us, we just might see a change in our churches, communities, and the world at large. The only conclusion I can come to is that we either don’t care, don’t believe, or don’t like the idea. Something has to change. Let that something be your perspective. Get to the altar and take a new view of the world around you.