Breathe God In And Out

Good morning…

Alongside our own morning messages, I receive one other online devotional. The Henri Nouwen Society sends out select words from Nouwen’s plethora of books. Deep. Short. Touching. Most days I make time to mull over these meaningful meditations. This week Nouwen’s inspired words have resonated richly with what God is teaching us together. As I work diligently on the manuscript for Northside Church’s Summertime Devotional, I smile as I breathe in Nouwen’s thoughts posted yesterday, 5.18.18.

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The Breath of God Within by Henri Nouwen

When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us. The Greek word for “spirit” is pneuma, which means “breath.” We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it. (Sue’s mind thinks “pneumonia.”)

The Spirit of God is like our breath. God’s spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a “spiritual life.” It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy. Let us always pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, come.”

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption, by which we cry, “Abba!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:14-16, NRSV).

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The Holy Spirit of God within us offers us the life that cannot be destroyed by death. When we breathe God in and live God out, we transform the world within and around us forever. At our birth we inhale the breath of our Triune God (Genesis 2:7). Then Christ resuscitates in us the breath of the Holy Spirit before returning to heaven (John 20:22). With our Spirit-filled lungs, we are equipped to live daily as beloved children of God. We do not receive the spirit of slavery, to fall back into fear, but as God breathes in and out of us …the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23, AMP). This contagious fruitfulness lives on long after we return home to heaven.

As I mentioned earlier, our 2018 Summertime Devotional is entitled Breathe God In – Live God Out. This title, inspired months ago, aligns perfectly with Nouwen’s message posted yesterday. As we breathe God in and live God out all summer long, may it be said of us: And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit… (Acts 2:4a, AMP).

…Sue…

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