With Open Hands

“… A clenching fist, a life of fear,
A burden held, has no place here
Cause You call me now to cast it all
On the shoulders of the one who’s strong

Take it all – every hope, every dream, every plan.
Take it all – every weight, all the shame and brokenness.
Jesus, I surrender all – every victory and loss
Take it all, take it all til all I have is open hands …”

{From “Open Hands” by Laura Story}

The title track of “Open Hands” by Laura Story could be my life’s theme song.

I notoriously hold on to pretty much everything too tightly. I resist change initially and dig in my heels. I fight what I know is right sometimes because I want to think I can do it myself.

But God always shows me a better way.

He always prompts me to loosen my grip, lay down my fears, and embrace the real life He’s given me. I end up coming back to Him, lifting my open hands, knowing I should have done that in the beginning. Slowly, I’m quicker to loosen my grip and open my hands than I used to be, but I’m grateful He continues to take it all from my stubborn grasp.

This song from Laura Story is a sweet reminder of this message of surrender I need over and over again in my life. The fact Third Day’s Mac Powell sings along is icing on the cake. He’s a fellow Atlanta-native and Story’s longtime friend. This duet was refreshing for my soul, as was the rest of the new album from Laura Story.

*****

Throughout the Bible, there are countless stories of ordinary people whole-heartedly attempting to live a life fully surrendered to God’s unique calling on their lives. More than once, God asks people of faith to relinquish control and simply trust Him. These days, singer/songwriter Laura Story is discovering the beauty found in letting go.

Story’s fifth studio album – “Open Hands” – strives for that posture of surrender. It officially released March 3 from Fair Trade Services.

“We never get to a point where we can do life apart from complete and total daily dependence on Jesus,” Story says in information provided by Fly By Promotions. “The irony is the less control we have, the more peace we have and the more, I would even say, success and joy we find. It’s a contrary picture to what the world tells us, but it’s gaining through letting go.”

But that’s what leads us to worship, which Story defines as “worth-ship.”

“It’s giving God worth, and sometimes that means verbal adoration and praise. Sometimes that’s showing Him worth with our calendars and our checking accounts. No matter what it is, it always begins with open hands. It always begins with a willingness to say, ‘You are worth whatever cost you call me to give,’” she said. “Worship in its very core begins with surrender. That’s how we really show God that He’s worth it all.”

About the album

A parade of A-list songwriters, including Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Mia Fieldes, Hank Bentley, Sarah Hart and Seth Mosley, among others, pepper the album’s 11 tracks.

1. Death Was Arrested
2. Open Hands (Featuring Mac Powell)
3. You Came Running
4. Give You Faith
5. For the Love of My King
6. Awake My Soul (A 1000 Tongues)
7. Whisper
8. Every Word You Breathe
9. Majesty
10. Extraordinary
11. Grace Abounds

About the artist

Story has built a life—and a career—around submission to her calling. She’s led worship at Atlanta’s Perimeter Church for the past 12 years. In addition to penning songs recorded by artists like Chris Tomlin, Story has found success as a recording artist in her own right, making her solo debut in 2008. She’s also a mom to three kids and an author of two books – “When God Doesn’t Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can’t Live Without” and “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops: A 30 Day Devotional.”

Learn more about Laura Story and her music online: Amazon, iTunes, her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also watch the official “Open Hands” video as well as the song devotional video.

Giveaway

So, who wants to win a copy of this lovely CD? Just use the Rafflecopter below for multiple ways to win. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents through Friday, March 17. A winner will be selected the following day.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Many thanks to FlyBy Promotions / Propeller Consulting for providing me with an album to review as well as the one for the giveaway. The opinions here are my own. If you have won a prize from FlyBy / Propeller in the last 30 days on this blog or the same prize from another blog, you are not eligible to win.