I recently read a devotional that caused me to pause. It focused on one of the seven Hebrew words used for worship. Worship described as "yadah" or "yad" is an open-handed worship.
Ponder that a minute. (Strong's H3034 and H3027 is where you can dig a little deeper, if you heart desires.)
Open-handed giving. Open-handed receiving. Open-handed praise. Open-handed thanksgiving. There is vulnerability about an open hand.
Fingers are easily broken if you hit a hard surface just right. An open hand stance is used in meditation in other religions. Interesting, right?
We cannot hold onto anything too tightly with an open hand. An open hand is a sign of generosity. An open hand is how we humbly receive the gifts we are granted.
It is a natural response to lift open hands in worship. It isn't for show. It is in adoration. Sports fans do it all the time and do not worry about who is watching. It is more than okay for God fans to raise their hands! We respond to God when we lift our open hands to him in praise.
A raised or closed fist does not give or receive. A raised or close fist is a popular sign for power. It can suggest a threat when we raise a fist.
With our hands, we choose to show our strength. Are they open in worship, giving and receiving? Or are they tightly clenched in defiance or determination to have things the way we want them?
I am constantly amazed by the relevance of the Bible. The lessons are timeless. In Genesis 3:22, the humans take from the Tree of Life: Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—”
To reach out and take what we want is a part of our human nature, but do we always want what we take when it is in our hands? One of the biggest lessons in intentional gratitude is reframing what we have and turning it into enough.
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)
We can't rewrite history. We can move forward with an open hand. On the wall of my bedroom I have a craft I made at a family shower. It simply states, "Love Generously". Of course... it has glitter... but the message is still simple. To give and receive with an open hand and open heart.
Today, I am grateful for the open hand.
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