Open Hands.

Disclaimer: This is NOT a political post. These are thoughts swirling around in my whimsical brain that may or may not make any sense to anyone but myself.

I was asked to lead worship on an upcoming Sunday as my worship leader will be out of town. I said yes, albeit reluctantly, as I have always considered myself more of a "behind-the-scenes" person. Once I accepted this huge honor and responsibility, I started thinking and planning out introductions to songs, etc. I have this image in my head of people praying. But not just praying... I have this vision (for myself included) of entering into the Almighty Presence of the Father with open hands. This is something I picked up in college, where from time to time when I would pray, instead of kneeling or just closing my eyes, I would simply hold my hands out to signify to God that I was letting go, and/or willing to receive whatever He wanted to give to me, be it encouragement or command, conviction or revelation.

WHAT IF we lived our lives with open hands, every day? WHAT IF we were willing to accept conviction with the "Well done, good and faithful servant?" WHAT IF we allowed Jesus to transform us in such a way that people around us would be forced to notice a beautiful difference without us even saying a word?

Think about it! What would happen to our schools -- our nation -- our WORLD if we approached everyday with open hands?

I have been married for almost 2 years now, and anyone who has been married for a significant amount of time can attest that sometimes it is hard to live with another human being, no matter how deep your love and affection for them goes. I married Justin knowing that every morning I would choose  to love him. That was my promise. I don't have to.  I have free will and I choose to, just like Jesus chooses to love me, and because I am standing by my promise, God has grown my love for my husband everyday since the day I married him. That being said, if we are willing to choose our spouses and choose our places of employment, and for goodness sakes choose what we have for breakfast, can't we also choose to live our lives with open hands? Can't we choose to live our lives in complete surrender no matter the cost???

I think fear gets in the way of us opening our hands completely. I know it does for me. I don't want to go through hard stuff. I don't want my faith to be tested. I would really like an easy life (wouldn't we all?). But that's not how life is. If everyone's life were easy, then there would be no reason for us to need a Savior. I have found that in the trials in my life I am the most joyful, because I have seen different sides of God that I can't see when everything is easy, simply because I tend to fool myself that I can make it on my own.

No one will ever be perfect, this we know full-well. But I do believe that we can have flawless intentions. If we allow ourselves to be fully available, hands open wide, to our Creator, and allow Him to transform us, His Will will supercede ours. It won't matter what anyone else thinks about us, because He will make our paths straight, just like He promised.

So here's my next step: make daily decisions to open my hands to Jesus. It's quite simple, really.

Will you join me?