Breath

Take a slow, deep breath. Yes, right now. This sentence will be here when you’re done. And another one. We breathe all day long, even when we’re not paying attention to it. Similarly, God is with us all day long, even when we’re not paying attention to God. God is as near to us as the air we breathe.

The Hebrew word for spirit is “ruach” and means spirit, wind, breath. Our whole lives we breathe in the Spirit of God. The first thing we do when we are born is breathe; we breathe in the Spirit of God. Has anyone ever told you to take a deep breath? It might have been in a crisis situation or to help manage your pain, physical or otherwise. Yes, you needed oxygen, but you also needed the Spirit of God. Have you ever had trouble breathing or catching your breath? For those with COPD or asthma, this is a regular occurrence, and it’s very frightening. We die without breath. We die without the Spirit of God. The last thing we do on this earth is breathe; we breathe out the Spirit of God. Take another slow deep breath. When you don’t know how to pray, just breathe and receive the Spirit of God. God is as near to you as the air you breathe.

O Holy Breath of God, fill me with peace, joy, and love with each breath. Amen. 

Rev. Matthew Poock, Partner Congregation Pastor

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.  

-Psalm 33:6