Closed Hand VS. Open Hand

I heard Matt Chandler(listen to his sermons here) mention this concept in a sermon a while back and it got me thinking about it.

 

In life we live with a position, well maybe a lot of positions but one has great influence in our lives.

 

When reading this think in terms of three things. People, Possessions, & Positions. From now on I will list them as the three P's because I'm lazy and that is like 30 characters to type!(yes I counted)

 

Closed Hand:

    - Ownership of the 3 P's

Open Hand:

    - Stewardship of 3 P's

Closed Hand:

    - Protective of the 3 P's

Open Hand:

    - Gracious with the 3 P's

Closed Hand:

    - Defined by the 3 P's

Open Hand -

    - Defined by the giver of the 3 P's

 

Closed handed people do there best to maintain ownership of the 3 P's. In the end they are owned by the 3 P's.

 

Open handed people understand the 3 P's are on loan to them and do their best to be a steward over what they have. In the end they find they are a slave to nothing except His(God) will.

 

Comments

[Vanessa]

I long to be a slave to His will!

[Scott Laurain]

Hey Rick,

It was great to see you the past few days. Have a blessed weekend!

Scott Laurain

[sean]

Hey Rick,
I read this for the first time in 03' but it has never left me; I was reminded of it while reading your post; it is written by an OT Hebrew prof. at Hayford's King's Seminary and Wagner Leadership Institute:

Though Psalm 46:10 is traditionally translated "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD" the Hebrew literally says "LET GO OF YOUR GRIP (Heb. harfu from the root rafah meaning "to relax, let go of") AND RECOGNIZE THAT I AM GOD."

Think of the 3 P's within the context of Pharoah's life and his relationship with the HEbrews. I believe that the possibility exists, that, if Pharoah wouldn't have been so closed fisted, but instead would have loosened his grip, that he would have recognized that the Lord was God, and His Name would've still been proclaimed through all the earth; as it turned out, Pharoah wouldn't even consider it; People use the word to argue that Pharoah had no choice, that GOd raised him up to harden his heart, so that His name would receive glory...I don't see that as part of God's character or the correct interpretation of that text...just an opinion; but again, what if Pharoah would've chose to loosen his grip and let go; I believe he would have seen, known, and recognized the Lord as God, and the history of the earth would've been changed.

How many of us have a greater tendency to act like Pharoah instead of letting go and focusing on God instead of that which we fear losing control over.

Favorite quote regarding this subject: Nicole Kidman to Tom Cruise in "Days of Thunder" just after Tom went psycho and drove his rental car on public roadways like he was in the Indy 500

"Control is an illusion you infantile egomaniac!"

Spiritual Interpretation: Grow up and stop being decieved, trust God, quite being so fully of yourself. Your acting like a fool and its going to kill you.

Closed fist is such a polite way of saying control freak, isn't it? God is in control, and He is in control of our lives, at least to the point we allow Him to be.