Did you know you can have a big bank account and still be bankrupt?
You can have wealth, title, status, and worldly success but still be spiritually poor.
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with messages of instant gratification and the pursuit of material possessions, it can be easy to fall into the trap of gripping tightly onto our belongings and defining ourselves by our possessions.
However, there is a secret that can lead us to a more fulfilling and meaningful life: the secret of the open hand.
The concept of the open hand is simple: being able to let go of our possessions and walk away from them if necessary.
It means recognizing that our possessions do not define us and that we can live without them.
This idea is not new; it has been around since the early days of Christianity when the first followers of Christ lived in community and shared all things in common (Acts 2:44).
However, in our current culture, we have become very individualistic and materialistic.
Our Focus Has Been Hijacked
We are constantly bombarded with messages telling us that we need more and that we should never be satisfied with what we have. The "algorithm" that governs much of our digital lives has programmed us to always be searching for the next quick win, the next instant gratification.
This is where the secret of the open hand comes in.
It is a way to resist the spirit of the age and the spirit of mammon that tell us we need more and that we should never be satisfied. It is a way to keep our hearts focused on what is truly important: our relationship with God and with others.
The secret of the open hand is not about rejecting wealth or prosperity, nor is it a call to poverty or asceticism. It is about recognizing that our possessions are not the most important thing in our lives and that we can live without them.
It is about keeping our hearts open to God and to others, and being willing to let go of anything that might come between us and Him.
Letting Go is Not Always Easy
We live in a world that constantly tells us that our possessions are the key to our happiness and fulfillment. It takes courage and faith to be willing to let go of our possessions and trust that God will provide for us. But when we do, we open ourselves up to a deeper level of trust and intimacy with God.
The secret of the open hand is not a message to be used as a weapon to judge others. It is a call to each of us to examine our own hearts and ask ourselves if we are holding onto anything too tightly.
Is there anything that you are defining yourself by or that we would be unwilling to let go of if God asked us to?
If the answer is yes, then it is time to open our hands and let go.
In the Gospel of Mark, there is a story about a rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10: 17-31). Jesus told him to sell all he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him. The young man went away sad because he had many possessions and the text suggests he was not willing to let go of them. Jesus used this story to teach us that our possessions can be a hindrance to our relationship with Him.
Let us Learn the Secret of the Open Hand
Let me challenge you to recognize the time in history we are in and resist the spirit of the age. Let us keep our hearts open to God and to others and be willing to let go of anything that might come between us and Him.
Let us follow Jesus with open hands and open hearts.
Check out more on this in the latest episode of Raising the Standard.
Upgrade Your Mindset to One of Abundance
Are you constantly fighting through the GAP between where you are called to be and where you find yourself today? Then it's time to upgrade your spiritual operating system and your environment.
That's why I've launched the Unfair Advantage email challenge.
Just click the link above and sign up, and commit to showing up. You'll get an email every day for 11 days straight. Some days there'll be a video that accompanies the email with a video training that I made specifically for you.
So when you're ready, get in the challenge and learn how to step into your unfair advantage.
