Palms Up

Today we celebrate Jesus’s arrival into Jerusalem – the beginning of the end of His earthly ministry – Palm Sunday.

“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’” – John 12:12-13

But I’m not actually going to talk about today, I just wanted to give you that tidbit because it almost relates to what I’m about to tell you. Since it’s Palm Sunday, I thought Bob Goff’s words would be fitting. If you haven’t read the book Love Does, I highly recommend it. Goff mentions this idea of “palms up,” when he explains that any time a client of his has to sit in court and answer questions, he gives them this one instruction: to place their hands on their lap with their palms up.

“He taught me to be palms up, just like He was. Palms up means you have nothing to hide and nothing to gain or lose. Palms up means you are strong enough to be vulnerable, even with your enemies. Even when you have been tremendously wronged.” – Bob Goff, Love Does

Sitting palms up allows us to feel calm. Goff contrasts this with clenched fists – if you are having an argument with someone, it could get heated simply because of the position of your hands. Palms up slowly lets all the walls you had up crumble down; it releases whatever it is you are holding onto.

Now there’s no coincidence that palms up is a position of worship and receiving; it represents our surrender and submission to God’s will. When we sit with our palms facing up, we are allowing Jesus to take control of our lives. We are surrendering our sins and preparing to receive whatever He has to provide for us.

“Something about the hardwiring that God gave each of us links the position of our bodies and position of our hearts.” – Bob Goff, Love Does

Try it right now. Seriously. Be still for a second and sit with your hands on top of your lap with your palms facing up. You probably feel more relaxed, open, and free. This is exactly how it feels to be fully reliant on God, to trust that He will provide everything you need. There are so many evils in this world that will make us want to clench our fists, but if we have Jesus on our side, we really have nothing to lose.

“Jesus was palms up, to the end.” – Bob Goff, Love Does