Inquiring minds want to know what palms up means. It’s a phrase I coined, so I pray it’s not already used.
For a moment, flip your hands over.
What do you see?
You might see callouses, distinct lines, flaky skin, or even scars. A palm reader would see your future. I don’t see either, and not because I’m blind.
When I think of “palms-up,” the image of someone’s hands resting on their thighs, except their hands are overturned, comes to my mind. These open hands expose their palms. This person is comfortable, and not afraid. They feel safe as this is a defenseless position.
Continue looking at your palms if you’ve moved your hands or focused your eyes on something else. If you can see your palm, your hands are empty, meaning they have let go of everything.
You aren’t holding on to anything. That means someone who is “palms-up” is available. They’re free to receive whatever might come their way. A “palms-up” position demonstrates yielding. Any “palms-up” person is ready to take on any task given, or handed, to them. For example, approaching such a person, I could hand them a stack of packages to carry for me.
Whether the “palms-up” individual was handed a gift for themselves, or an object to perform a task for someone else, as a way to serve, they had to be ready to receive. As Christians, we should have a “palms-up” attitude. Whether a blessing for ourselves or a burden for our Christian brothers/sisters, we should be open and willing to carry it. In fact, Galatians 6:2 tells us to carry one another’s burdens.
Have you ever tried to carry someone’s burden without a palms-up attitude?
It’s fumble-bumbly at best and can create disasters. Resentment and anger most likely would be the result. What if the burden is too heavy? I realize it takes open arms to hug larger packages, but even then, palms must go up first before sliding to get an appropriate grip.
Once you’ve got it, you can find someone else to share the load.
My palms might be open because I just made a request for someone to bring me a plate of food, a glass of tea, or a myriad of other objects, including money.
When I make a request, I must have open hands to receive what I asked for. Isn’t it funny how we petition our Lord over and over, yet have difficulty keeping that “palms-up” attitude?
An equally compelling image of “palms-up” is when palms are raised in the air and facing forward. With this position, I immediately think of the friendly gesture of waving. Such a welcoming gesture. The same raised hand position with palms facing outward is also known as a natural form of defense.
Friendly, giving, servants.
Christians have the love of Jesus inside of them, or at least should have. We need to be friendly, giving, and servants. One important, forgotten task is to be defenders of the Faith.
We need to defend the helpless, the poor, and the widows. Most importantly, we need to defend God’s Word, the Holy Bible. It holds the Truth; the whole Truth. I know this post is shorter than normal, but now that you have stopped to think about what going palms up can mean, are you ready to go palms up in your Christian walk?
- surrender
- yielding
- open to receive
- able to carry others’ burdens
- willing to receive what is handed to you
- friendly
- willing to defend the faith and God’s Word
What are we willing to do for Him?
Please share this with your friends if you benefited from this post. I appreciate your taking your precious time to read this.
© 2019, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
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