Being a preacher, I have this habit of looking for metaphors and parables in the world around me, all the time. My most recent experience with this phenomenon took place while doing round kicks. This, being a rather new practice, had me concentrating more on actually hitting the bag, than, well, breathing. Mr. Potter, my instructor called out often, "remember to breath." I think he was concerned that I might pass out. Which, besides being embarrassing, would have totally defeated the purpose of working out. It is proven to be very hard to get anything out of a work out while passed out on the floor. So, I try very intentionally to remember to breath.
But, hold on, why should I have to? I mean, we all come into the world knowing how to breathe, right? After we scream and kick and breathe in air for the first time, this breathing becomes automatic. No one has to teach us how to breathe. We just do. However, as with so much in this life, it is the quality and intensity of the action or thought or desire, that makes the difference.
I remember 5 years ago fighting a serious case of pneumonia. It hurt to breath. Every breath caused me to cough uncontrollably and painfully. I spent several days in the hospital and many weeks recovering. Since then, I wonder if I have been unconsciously, breathing shallow. Holding back from breathing deeply. Maybe we do sometimes need to be reminded to breathe.
So, I have been working on it. Not just when I am doing round kicks! I try focussing on breathing when my kids are arguing pointlessly in the back seat. I breathe deeply while in prayer or when listening. I breathe slowly when I am feeling anxious or angry or frustrated. I walk with the dog at dusk and practice: breathing.
And, in between the breaths I take, I pray that the Spirit of God is teaching my spirit how to breathe. How do we keep from living tentatively into the way of the Cross? By letting our spirit breathe in new life. It is a healing breath, this breath of God, that mends the broken places in our souls. This wind brings mercy and forgiveness and love. God's Spirit carries encouragement, wisdom, peace and challenge as well. Following God is not automatic. We make choices everyday that reflect, positively or negatively, upon our relationship with God. To bring about the Kingdom of God on earth takes practice and intention. We do not do this on our own. We breathe with God.
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