Laura Story - Open Hands Lyrics

Laura Story - Open Hands (Lyric Video) ft. Mac Powell

Open Hands Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Laura Story's song "Open Hands," featuring Mac Powell, released as a lyric video on September 30, 2016, offers a profound reflection on surrender and trust. The core message revolves around the central metaphor of open hands versus a clenching fist, illustrating two contrasting approaches to life and faith. The lyrics present open hands not merely as a physical posture but as a spiritual state, signifying the letting go of self and yielding control to a higher power.

The song articulates a comprehensive act of surrender, detailing the specific elements being released. The speaker declares the willingness to give up "every hope, every dream, every plan," acknowledging that even aspirations and well-laid intentions must be placed in divine care. Furthermore, it encompasses the negative aspects of human experience – "every weight, all the shame and brokenness" – alongside achievements, stating "every victory and loss" is also surrendered. This inclusive list underscores the totality of the offering, holding nothing back until the only posture remaining is one of complete dependence, symbolized by open hands.

A stark contrast is drawn between this state of open-handed trust and the alternative, depicted as "a clenching fist, a life of fear, a burden held." The lyrics dismiss this fearful grip, asserting that burdens held by oneself have no place when there is an invitation to "cast it all on the shoulders of the one who's strong." This imagery speaks to finding relief and strength not within oneself but by entrusting struggles and weaknesses to a powerful, capable source, implying a divine figure capable of bearing such weight.

The motivation behind this radical surrender is clearly stated: "I'm not afraid of what I lose; my greatest joy is finding You." This line shifts the focus from the perceived loss of control or possessions to the supreme gain of discovering or connecting with a higher power. It implies that the ultimate fulfillment and security are found not in holding tightly to one's own life but in releasing it to find joy and identity in a relationship with the divine being addressed in the song.

The themes of surrender and casting burdens are central to many faith traditions. The concept of releasing personal plans and desires to a divine will aligns with biblical calls to trust and obey. The casting of anxieties and weights onto a stronger being echoes scriptures that encourage believers to hand over their worries to God. The surrender of both successes and failures points towards acknowledging dependence on a higher power in all circumstances, recognizing that true security and joy are found in that relationship rather than in personal accomplishment or avoidance of pain.

Ultimately, "Open Hands" serves as an anthem of radical trust and relinquishment. It moves beyond a casual offering to advocate for a complete yielding of one's entire being – past, present, and future, with all its contents, both good and bad – into divine care. The repeated refrain "Take it all, take it all 'till all I have is open hands" is a powerful declaration of intent, transforming the song into a prayer and a commitment to live a life defined by dependence, finding freedom and joy in complete surrender.