Open Hands.

With Missions Sunday quickly approaching we’ve tried to pick some songs that really emphasize going out and spreading the gospel. One song is a new one that we have been excited about for months now called Open Hands by Matt Papa.

Here is the chorus:

I lift my hands open wide

Let the whole world see

How You love, how you died, how You set me free

Free at last I surrender all I am

with open hands, with open hands



Open hands. That’s an image that I was just thinking about last night. In this chorus there are two similar yet different representations that go along with the image of open hands. In the first part the open hands signify sharing. You can’t share something with someone with a closed fist; it is clenched in an aggressive stance. But open hands freely give, their gifts fall easily from the fingertips in uncontrollable generosity.

Then we have a second image of open hands, this time in surrender. They still give freely but this time with a different attitude of surrender, not clinging to anything of the past but letting it all fall away in pursuit of Christ. See how these two images appear seamlessly side by side and how we can apply this to our own lives.



Here’s the whole song:

To give unselfishly

To love the least of these

Jesus, I’m learning how to live with open hands



All these treasures that I own

will never satisfy my soul

Jesus, I lay them at Your throne with open hands



I lift my hands open wide

Let the whole world see

How You love, how you died, how You set me free

Free at last I surrender all I am

with open hands, with open hands



To finally let go of my plans

These earthly kingdoms made of sand

Jesus, at Your cross I stand with open hands



You took the nails, You bore the crown

You hung Your head, Your love poured out

You took my place, You paid the price

So, Jesus, now I will give my life



Open Hands,

Hailey