9 Apr

Breathe on Me

posted by Lisa Huddleston

“Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

So many things inspire us: passionate works of art, literature that gives voice to our deepest thoughts, music that speaks a message of truth, the splendor of creation, the stinging beauty of sacrifice, and on and on. This world is full of things that move us and fill us with a bittersweet sense of longing. But a longing for what? Even we are hard pressed to express what it is we desire. More beauty, more song, more meaning, more purpose? God only knows; yet, instead of turning to Him, we rush from one activity to the next, feeling self-important and useful for brief shining moments. We almost manage to grasp that illusive treasure we seek; but, at the end of the day, sighing, breathless, and exhausted, we find ourselves as limp and useless as a deflated balloon. “Finally,” I can imagine Him saying. “Finally, you are still and ready to receive what I alone can give! Now, ‘stop your fighting—and know that I am God.’” (Psalm 46:10)

As only God could breathe the breath of life into the first man, only God can breathe that life into each of us and cause us to be filled with the Spirit that satisfies our craving for more. He whispers to us in a still, small voice and hovers over us with His Holy Spirit. He breathes into us His desires and fills us with His understanding. And, He gives us His Word: Jesus Christ who is the Word (John 1:1) and the Holy Scriptures all of which are “inspired by God and … profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that man may be complete” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Aha! True inspiration, the very breath of God, the air that lifts us from the exhaustion of our own gasping efforts and fills our lungs with life! Inspired by the breath of God, we exhale to change ourselves and the world around us, to teach the truth of God’s grace, to serve those who are hurting and still struggling, and to train others in the ways of righteousness so that all men whom God calls may be made complete.

Feeling breathless? Longing for something more? Stop and inhale deeply. Breathe in the Breath of Life. He alone can completely fill the craving of your soul and inspire you to be His new creation.

Lord Jesus, you are the very air we breathe. You alone can fill the longing of my heart. Sharpen my ears to hear your whispers of love and breathe into me the breath of new life. In your power and inspired by your love, I pray. Amen.

Filed in: Prayer, Responding to God, Trust