The title of this blog, "With Arms High," comes from a song by Hillsong called "The Stand." The chorus of the song goes: So I'll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all, I'll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered, all I am is Yours.
This song has become my statement of faith, my life song. I've wondered before, why do people lift their arms in church? It's not talked about in the Bible, so should we really do that? Some people might see it as kind of weird and New Age spiritual, which shouldn't be a part of the Body of Christ. However, a missionary at our church put it this way: raising our arms high is a physical symbol of being completely abandoned to God. Instead of putting up one hand half way, raising both arms high to God is a sign of letting go and letting God. Another verse of "The Stand" says "So what can I say? What can I do? But offer this heart, o God, completely to You?"
This is my goal in life: to offer my heart and my life completely to God. To stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all. I want to live completely surrendered to the Father and Creator of the Universe and to the Son, the Lord and Savior of my life.
This is often easier said than done. If you know me, then you probably know that I like to be in control. I especially like to be in control of my own life. I like to plan everything and know exactly when and how things will pan out in my life. Living completely surrendered to God is almost counter-intuitive for me. It takes effort. Every day I must pray to God: Lord, Your will be done, not mine. I surrender my will to Yours.
For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it. Mark 8:35 (NASB)
