When my knees hit the ground.

The power of worship to change our perspective.

“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”
Dwight L. Moody

In the hallowed halls of London's National Gallery, an encounter of profound significance took place - one that would change the way a piece of art was perceived and appreciated. Within those walls, the seasoned art critic, Robert Cummings, found himself captivated by a painting by Filippino Lippi, a master of the Italian Renaissance. However, as his keen eyes surveyed the artwork, a sense of unrest washed over him.

The artwork depicted the tender embrace of Mary, cradling Jesus, flanked by Saint Dominic and Saint Jerome. Yet, to the discerning eye of the critic, something seemed amiss. The proportions appeared skewed, with the distant hills stretching into the horizon, as if attempting to escape the confines of the frame. The saints, normally poised and regal, were not, and the gaze of the Virgin Mary, which should have been so profound, yet puzzled him with its ambiguity.

Cummings was not the first to criticize Lippi's work for its perceived flaws in perspective. Over the years, countless others had pointed to these apparent imperfections, seeking to understand the artist's intent. Little did they know that they were missing the very essence of Lippi's creation.

In a moment of introspection and humility, as if guided by an unseen force, Cummings' heart was stirred, and he was compelled to consider a different viewpoint. In a conscious act of reverence, he fell to his knees, his eyes now level with the painting's horizon and his soul open to a new revelation.

Suddenly, the painting came alive, revealing a truth obscured by judgments and preconceptions. The foreground and background merged seamlessly, the hills now embracing the scene with a sense of harmony and purpose. The critic found himself in communion with the Lord as if transported into a sacred realm. A profound sense of worship and awe enveloped him, and he beheld the masterpiece through new eyes.