Walking with opens hands is not the same as walking while looking for a handout. Similarly, following Jesus with palms up is not the same as following the Bread King asking for more bread. Walking with open hands as you follow Jesus, is to let Him be in control when you are not.
Such walking begins and continues with prayer – open handed prayer. The simple postural practice of “palms down – palms up” best symbolizes this. As is often taught: to sit in prayer before God – palms down, on your lap, is to sit in quiet until your cluttered mind is cleared, or as Henri Nouwen puts it, “the monkeys are chased out of the banana tree.” Then when you are ready to let go and prayerfully engage, is to sit in before God – palms up, on your lap with open hands and pray. It is to say, “I am now ready to receive what is given me from God as I pour out my heart to Him.” In many respects, our Christian walk before Christ should continually reflect such a posture.
This is one of the most profound and counterintuitive things to do in life. On one hand we are conditioned to “be more in control,” to “get a grip,” to “get a hold of yourself,” “to be more responsible,” such that we demonstrate that we know where we are going and why; that we’ve “got it.” Yet, on the other hand, the older we get (and less able), the more we realize how little IN control we really are; that we don’t have it. With this comes the realization that we, in following Him, must trust Him with what we do not know or understand. It means hands off the wheel, that we once so confidently and firmly gripped. Following Jesus is profoundly counterintuitive!
All that is going on in the world around me and within me, easily leaves me shaken and uncertain about the future. Older doesn’t necessarily mean wiser, either! Consequently I am still in the school of learning, when it comes to my own Christian walk following Jesus as His disciple. As the saying goes, “The more I know, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” Each day, can feel like going further down the crazy nonsensical rabbit hole, unless I take me hands off the steering wheel, yielding my control to God. This doesn’t mean my being care-free or care-less, but care-full to strive less and to trust more; for all around me is my Sovereign Lord.
As a Christian, perhaps you are currently white-knuckling your way through life. The thought of being out of control is simply terrifying! There is an alternative position and posture. Follow Jesus, walk with Him, prayerfully hands open. After all, He’s much better at control than you or me.
—RWO/MAST
Comments by Ric Ochsner