Open Hands

Yesterday I couldn't help but think about the concept of open hands.

Not only are they ready to receive, 

But more importantly they are ready to give.

They show a willingness to surrender.
They invoke vulnerability.

Open hands value life and soak it in.

When we live with open hands, 

I believe that our hearts are ready for anything.

Sometimes it's easy to close ourselves off

And not ask for anything and to pretend we aren't in need.

But when we live with open hands

We are sensitive to the needs of others

And the Lord is sensitive to our needs as well.

It's a blessing to live with open hands.

"Give to him [your poor brother], and don't have a stingy heart [let not your heart be grudging] when you give, and because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you do [you put your hand to]. For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, 'You must willingly open your hand to your afflicted and poor brother in your land'." 

Deuteronomy 15:10,11

Just remember, people don't have to be visibly "poor" in order for us to give. 

Like I said, we are people in need of many things - big or small. 

When we have open hands we are reaching out in so many ways. 

God promises to bless us for it. 

But it's impossible to give with the right heart if it's a burden to give.

If we aren't giving, it's impossible for our hands to be open. 

And if our hands aren't open, we aren't living in freedom.