HomeWord - June 30, 2011
A Life Worth Living
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder
The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. —Genesis 2:7
Breathing. It is the very essence of life, the first action we take after leaving the safety of the womb. For most people breathing comes without thought or effort. It is not until the body is deprived of oxygen that one often gives thought to the breath. Consider these intriguing facts:
Every 24 hours you are 23,240 breaths closer to eternity.
Every 24 hours you breathe in some 20 million particles of foreign matter.
Breath provides the first action of life as well as the last.
Everything that lives has the breath of life in it.
God breathed and all life came into being. Without the breath of God we are mere particles of dust, the potential of life. With the breath of God, however, we become living beings, created in His very image.
There is a powerful mystery in the simple act of breathing. To become aware of that mystery is to come close to the essence of life and the Giver of Life, a life that is not only physical but spiritual as well. Consider the actions of Jesus during a conversation with his disciples shortly after his resurrection. “Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20: 21-22).
Life and breath are bound together. However, there is a noticeable difference between people who are alive and people who are living. You know exactly what I mean. Some people go through life as if each breath brings increased burden. They live life without joy, without purpose and experience life in a shell, deadened to the experiences of each day. Then, there those who live life as if each moment were a miracle, a bubble filled with mystery just waiting to pop. Not only do they live life with anticipation, joy, and hope, they bring life to every arena they touch. The life-giving breath of God has so deeply penetrated their soul, that they can’t help but bring life to others around them.
As you go into your day, consider the life that you have been given. God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe, not only gave you your physical life, He longs to breathe His breath into your life each day. Life is not meant to be endured, but to be enjoyed. In John 10:10 Jesus’ description of his purpose is very clear. He says, “The thief comes only to kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
GOING DEEPER:
1. How would you describe your approach to life? Are you enduring it or enjoying it? If you are merely enduring life, spend some time today asking God to give you his life-enjoying breath.
2. Have you settled into a breathless pace of life? Consider slowing down, giving attention not only to your physical breath but the breath of the Spirit calling out to you.
FURTHER READING:
Sign up here for Parenting Resources and other HomeWord publications.
