When the Arms Go Up

There is another aspect of the 'core' muscles I want to explore in terms of how it relates to the church and that is "when the arms go up, the core engages." My fitness trainer says it all the time. So that when I'm doing an exercise even as simple as walking the instruction is to get my arms up over my head. By doing so I'm engaging those core muscles and hence strengthening them. Voila! Two for one so to speak.

This blog has talked previously about those core muscles and the importance of paying attention to that core - Jesus Christ. As I thought about her instruction an image came to mind. When our arms go up, either in praise or surrender, we are engaging our core - our connection to Jesus.

Now I know a lot of mainline churches aren't big on lifting their arms up in praise so this concept might not be as enlightening as it could be for them. But think of it...When we lift our arms up in praise, we are not only exposing ourselves to ridicule from other members we are also exposing our core - heart, lung, abdomen; thus making ourselves very vulnerable to God and others. What would happen if members of churches became more vulnerable to their peers and to their God? Seems to me the core would definitely be engaged in new ways.

The other image that came to mind as I thought about lifting up my arms is the stance of 'surrender'. Hands over the head is a universal sign of surrender. In this day and age of technology, medical advances and business gurus at our fingertips, how much do we really surrender to God's care and providence? Most churches only try to accomplish what they know they can do successfully. It's hard to convince people to take big risks, to step out in faith, to surrender their ego's and abilities to God's lead.

When the arms go up, the core engages in more ways then we can imagine. What does it take to get your church's arms up to praise, surrender and be fully engaged with God?