Growing up, we loved playing “cowboys and crooks.” We’d run around, laughing, hiding, dodging, until someone yelled, “Hands up!” And that was it – game over. Hands up meant you’d been caught.
It was a funny sort of surrender, giving in with a grin as we dropped our imaginary guns. I never thought that one day, raising my hands up would mean something real… Mean something way more serious than a game.
There’s a common symbol across cultures and histories: people put their hands up in surrender. It’s in war scenes, it’s in movies, and we see it in real life, too. When someone gives up, they put their hands up. They show they’re vulnerable and out of control. They’re trusting whoever’s in charge to be merciful.
In those moments, control slips from your grasp. You rely on the mercy of whoever’s in charge. This idea is also part of the most important act of worship – surrendering to Jesus and raising our hands up in praise.
Here’s what that journey has meant to me.
From Childhood Games to Real Surrender
When I was a kid, raising my hands up was nothing but a game. It was a gesture, something we did to play along. But as I grew older, I discovered a different kind of surrender. The kind that requires you to lay down everything – not for fun, but for freedom.
Life’s battles taught me that surrendering to Jesus means trusting Him with every piece of my life. Back then, lifting my hands was a simple game gesture! Now, as a follower of Jesus, raising my hands in worship is like saying, “Lord, I’m yours. Take my burdens, take my worries.”
It’s not easy – surrender never is – but the peace that comes from letting go is worth everything.
“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!” – Psalm 141:2
Surrender in History and Faith
Throughout history, surrender has marked pivotal moments. Entire wars turned on the simple gesture of soldiers lifting their hands up to signify they’ve given up. In those moments, surrender changes everything. It isn’t a decision to be taken lightly; it’s the difference between life and death. The choice between holding on and letting go.
For me, there was a similar turning point in my spiritual life. I had been fighting my own battles, clinging to the things I thought would bring me happiness. But my life was filled with chaos until I reached my breaking point.
That’s when I decided to surrender fully. To lift my hands to Jesus and say, “Lord, I can’t do this without you.” Like a soldier giving up in battle, I chose to give up my plans, my struggles, and trust His way instead.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
For more on this topic, check out the teaching and fellowship at Rhema South Coast Family Church. Their focus on family, faith, and spiritual growth has been a blessing to me and countless others.
Hands Up, Heart Open
When we lift our hands up in worship, it’s not a sign of defeat but of awe. We’re not giving up to an enemy but to a loving Father who only wants the best for us. I’ll never forget the first time I truly felt the urge to raise my hands in worship. It was like my soul was crying out, needing to connect with God in a real way.
Lifting my hands felt like setting my spirit free, a small act that meant a huge surrender. In that moment, I found freedom. The kind of freedom where I didn’t have to hide or pretend. Lifting my hands in worship has become a powerful declaration. It is a reminder that my life belongs to Jesus. He’s my Saviour, my guide, my everything.
“I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling.” – 1 Timothy 2:8
The Power of True Surrender | Giving In to God
True surrender has brought me a peace I couldn’t find anywhere else… Not in the reckless life I used to live, not in chasing one high after another. When I lift my hands up to Jesus, I know I’m stepping into something more profound than I ever could’ve imagined. Surrender isn’t weakness; it’s strength in disguise. It’s trusting that God has a plan far better than any I could come up with.
In the Bible, King David often lifted his hands in prayer, a simple act of surrender that carried profound meaning. I resonate deeply with Psalm 63:4: “I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name, I will lift up my hands.” For David, and for me, raising my hands to God is both a way to praise Him and to show my faith.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18
Hands Up | Your Turn to Surrender in Worship
If you’re reading this and holding onto things you think you need to control, maybe it’s time to think about what surrender could look like in your life. Lifting your hands up to Jesus doesn’t mean you’re defeated. In fact, it means you’re found. When we surrender, we’re saying, “Lord, I trust You with all I have.” That’s where true peace lives.
If you’re looking for more reflections and thoughts, check out my other posts on OneCreativeBean. This is where I share more about my walk with Jesus, faith, and life.
I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever had a moment where giving in to Jesus changed everything? Share your testimony in the comments below. Let’s encourage each other on this journey.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7