A Living Surrender

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. What does it mean to live with open hands and open hearts before God? Open hands are a posture of surrender—releasing our grip on the things we try to control and trusting God with what we carry. An open heart is a posture of receptivity—making space for God’s presence, guidance, and transforming love. Together, they describe a way of living that is neither clenched by fear nor closed off by self-reliance, but marked by trust, attentiveness, and availability to God. As we grow in awareness of Christ’s love, our perspective begins to change. The moments we once rushed through or overlooked can become places of encounter with God. A conversation with a friend, a quiet morning cup of coffee, a difficult decision, an act of service, a walk through the neighborhood, or a prayer whispered in the middle of a busy day can become sacred moments. Not because the circumstances themselves are extraordinary, but because God is present in them.  Living with open hands and an open heart is an invitation to discover that faith is not merely something practiced in church or reserved for special occasions. It is a way of being in the world—learning to recognize God's presence in the ordinary, trusting His care in every circumstance, and responding to His love with our whole lives. When we do, we often find that the sacred is woven into the fabric of our everyday experiences, and that God is closer than we imagined.