AIR THAT I BREATHE

Genesis 2:7. "The Lord God formed man our of clay on the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being."

We cannot live without air, and we must breathe to sustain our lives. The Hollies were on to something in their hit song, 'The Air That I Breathe," from the 60's, when they sing, "All I need is the air that that I breathe and to love you."

Genesis reminds us we cannot truly live without God. It is God who sustains us, animates us and gives us life in the Spirit. He alone is the life of our soul. As Saint Irenaeus, a founding church father said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." To be alive in Christ is the source of true life.

When I become upset or anxious, or if I am trying to calm or comfort someone else, I recommend taking deep breaths. Breathing in a controlled rhythmic way is very powerful. Breathing in, and breathing out, down to the core of one's being is life sustaining. A Jewish friend of mine once said when she panics or loses her way, she take deep breathes. She breathes God in and then breathes God out into the world or into the situation troubling her. This is a form of prayer.

When we are tempted, lost, in a stressful situation, or fearful, breathing in this way can heal us. Breathing can help us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When we breathe in, we can reduce our blood pressure and stop the adrenalin from pouring into and overcoming our bodies. We can think better, have clarity and prevent an inappropriate reaction which may hurt us or someone else. In the breath, we can ask God to breathe life into us - His life. The life of grace, so we can continue to live.