I love to run... Recently I was running with a trainer giving tips and this one stuck in my mind. "Open your hands, don't run with clenched fists. Open your hands to give, open your hands to receive." Did you know that the way you hold your hands has a big impact on your performance during running? The hands control the tension of your shoulders and upper body and clenching them creates great tension which restricts the movement of your arms, thereby decreasing speed. Somehow this seems counterintuitive. We picture strength in a clenched fist. But relaxing is actually the best way to accelerate.
I wasn't expecting to get a life lesson from a 30-minute run on the treadmill, but that was exactly what I received. You know...a lot of us go through life with clenched fists, not just while running. We have such a hard time letting go...of everything, our schedule, our control, our money, our time, our possessions, our children and family....
"Open your hands to give..."
We just celebrated Christmas...and when I think back to last weekend, the part of Christmas that was most meaningful and gave me the most joy was watching others open the gifts that I made or purchased for them.
"Open your hands to receive..." for whatever reason, sometimes we close ourselves off to receiving things from others, relationships especially, can be so challenging. How freeing it is to let go of our need for control and open ourselves up to what others have to offer us. Again and again, friendships have buoyed me up during some of life's toughest trials. And are we unwilling to receive the love and blessings from God because we think we are capable of managing our lives by ourselves?
Isaiah 26:3 tells us,
Whether you are a runner or not, going through life with clenched fists is never a good idea. Hanging on, to everything, having to be in control of everything, diminishes your capability to really live life as we are meant to live. It steals your joy.
As we begin this new year, I am challenging myself, (and would encourage you to do the same), to live life with open hands. Worry less, trust God more. Give generously, even sacrificially...
Jesus Himself said, (Acts 20:35 AMPC)
"It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive."
Look down at your hands right now and determine to keep them open, no matter what is happening around you. And when you feel that urge to start clenching them again, lift your eyes to God and ask Him to help you in whatever struggle or trial you are facing.
Run with open hands. Run with peace. Run with joy. Run to the full extent that you were created to run this great race of life!
