Open-handed Receptivity

It was the end of December, the time between the Christmas rush and welcoming the new year. It was a week of pause and I began asking God for a word to guide me into the new year. What posture or focus was I to have as I welcomed 2026?

I heard the phrase, ‘open-handed’ and wrote it down in my journal. The language seemed foreign to me-a phrase I don’t often use, but I felt somehow God was in it.

Then on New Year’s Day, I went down to the barn to do my normal goat milking routine and from the corner of my eye, I noticed a sight I have never seen before and may never see again: it was 5 baby doves perching peacefully on the water bucket drinking from a full pail of fresh, clean water. When they saw me coming, they did not startle in fear, but quietly and gently walked off in single file. They had received what they needed and were satisfied, content to leave peacefully and in order.

I felt a little like Moses when God got his attention with the burning bush; a phenomenon of the natural world that was intended to draw me to the spiritual world. As I pondered the doves, I knew they represented the Holy Spirit, peace, gentleness, unity, and receptivity. I recently had a friend ask me, “Are you willing to be moved from word-filled activity to wordless receptivity with God? With others? The doves were a picture of quiet, wordless receptivity. They had captured my attention. I had written in my journal on Dec. 26: “If you want to have the presence of the dove, you need to have the nature of the lamb.”

I saw in the doves a humility and unity that was striking. They were receiving from abundance- a full pail of water. They were drinking together, being refreshed by the Living Water. They were not striving, hoarding or controlling.

The word, “open-handed” continued to ring in my spirit. The doves were a picture of living open-handed. With open-handed living, your hands are open to release anything you’re not supposed to be carrying- pressure to be someone great, to people please, make a name for yourself or perform in fleshly striving. These are the things God was inviting me to let go of. At the same time, open-handed living invites us to receive the ‘more’ of God that we can never manufacture in our flesh and works. It is a posture of surrender- not trying to manage outcomes, but instead, receiving all we need from a good and loving Father. He is the God of abundance who provides for our every need.

Five is the number of grace, abundance, and favor. I sensed the number 5 was significant. There is the 5-fold ministry mentioned in Scripture- 5 different giftings all operating in unity within the church. There were 5 loaves of bread that Jesus multiplied and fed the 5,000 with. He gave thanks first for the provision of God and then it multiplied & a miracle happened!

Where is God calling you to live more open-handedly?

Where is he calling you to release outcomes to him and simply trust His goodness, receiving His abundance with gratitude?

Where is He wanting to cultivate a greater humility and surrender in your heart?

Father,

May we walk in unity, peace & surrender with you and one another. May our lives invite the presence of the dove (the Holy Spirit) as we yield in humility like the lamb, walking in humble obedience to you.