All Closed Up

A fist.

Previously used by this same man to get a felony.

Now used to tell a story.

To tell a story about love and Jesus.

And this is what he said:

'When you stay closed up like this, (showing his fist), nothing can get in to you. Your heart is closed. You can't give and, on top of that, you can't receive. You're all closed up.' 

The man he was talking to was confused. He'd never thought about it that way before. He always thought to avoid the action in hopes of keeping what he had to himself.

But the man showing his fist described that you can't stay all balled up for very long. You get tired and you give out. Whatever you had in your hand that you were gripping so tightly falls to the ground. And in the end, you lost it too.

Instead, he said leave your hand open. It requires no extra effort to keep it there. People can come and take from you. But that's okay because others will come and give to you. It's give and be given to. If you drop your own, then someone else will add back to your hand.

I had never thought about it like this before. But I think my friend is right. Spiritual growth does not come from keeping your gifts, your learning, your faith to yourself. Growth only comes from sharing with others and having them share with you.