Breathe: Embracing Life, Spirit, and Sacred Presence
Summary
In today's sermon titled "Breathe," I explored the profound spiritual and physical implications of breathing, emphasizing its connection to life, speech, and our spiritual existence. We began by understanding the basic mechanics and significance of breathing, noting that on average, a person breathes about 26,000 times a day, moving 14,000 liters of air. This act, though often unconscious, is vital not just for physical survival but also for spiritual awareness.
I introduced the concept of "box breathing," a technique used by professionals in high-stress environments to manage anxiety and reduce heart rate, illustrating the importance of controlled breathing. This method involves inhaling, holding, and exhaling breath in four-second intervals, which can significantly calm the mind and body.
The discussion then shifted to the spiritual dimension of breath, drawing from Genesis where God breathes life into Adam. This act of breathing is not merely biological but a divine infusion of life, suggesting that every breath we take is a borrowed breath from God. This idea was further deepened with the Hebrew and Greek words for breath, 'ruach' and 'pneuma,' which also mean 'spirit.' Thus, breathing is intertwined with the spiritual, continuously connecting us to God.
I shared the story of Moses and the burning bush as an example of holy encounters that can occur in ordinary moments. Moses, while tending to his father-in-law's sheep, encountered God through a bush that burned without being consumed. This moment on Mount Horeb (also known as Sinai) was a profound realization of sacred presence, which I paralleled to our everyday moments that might be filled with God's presence without our awareness.
The sermon culminated in a call to mindfulness about how we use the breath (or spirit) that God has given us. I emphasized the power of the tongue, linked to our breath, to bring life or death, a theme echoed in Proverbs 18:21. This power underscores our responsibility to use our words and breath for affirming life and expressing God's love, even towards those we disagree with or who have wronged us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Breath as Life and Spirit
Every breath we take is not just a biological function but a spiritual gift, borrowed temporarily from God. This perspective transforms how we view our existence and interactions with others, emphasizing a shared divine essence among all humanity. This insight invites us to treat every interaction with sanctity and compassion, recognizing the divine breath in everyone. [28:05]
2. The Power of Controlled Breathing
Techniques like box breathing are not only beneficial for physical and mental health but also offer spiritual benefits by helping us gain control over our thoughts and emotions. This control can lead to deeper spiritual awareness and calmness, enabling us to reflect God's peace in turbulent situations. [02:52]
3. The Significance of the Burning Bush
The story of Moses and the burning bush teaches us that God's presence can sanctify any moment or place. It challenges us to be attentive to the 'burning bushes' in our own lives—moments when God is speaking to us through everyday events and people around us. [25:52]
4. The Responsibility of Speech
With the understanding that our breath is linked to our spirit, and thus to God, comes a significant responsibility to use our speech to uplift and bring life. Negative speech not only harms others but diminishes our own spirit and potential to see and seize God's blessings in our lives. [34:37]
5. Holiness in the Ordinary
Just as Moses discovered holy ground in his routine environment, we are called to recognize the holiness in our everyday lives. This recognition can transform our perspective, helping us see God's hand in all circumstances and encouraging us to live in a manner that honors the sacredness of life granted to us. [26:59]
Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome
01:43 - The Basics of Breathing
02:52 - Introduction to Box Breathing
04:13 - The Physical and Spiritual Importance of Breathing
10:14 - The Stress and Breath Connection
11:57 - Genesis and the Breath of Life
14:29 - The Name of God and Our Breath
19:48 - Jacob's Revelation in a Dream
22:09 - Moses' Early Life and Journey
23:54 - The Burning Bush Encounter
28:05 - The Shared Breath of Humanity
30:13 - Representing the Breath of God
32:33 - The Challenges of Loving Others
33:51 - The Effects of Negative Speech
37:40 - Conclusion: Recognizing God's Presence and Holiness
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Breathe"
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:7 (NIV) - "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
2. Exodus 3:2-5 (NIV) - "There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.' When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.' 'Do not come any closer,' God said. 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.'"
3. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) - "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 2:7, what did God do to make Adam a living being?
2. In the story of Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-5), what was unusual about the bush that caught Moses' attention? [24:59]
3. What does Proverbs 18:21 say about the power of the tongue?
4. How many times a day does the average person breathe, and what is the significance of this in the sermon? [01:43]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that our breath is a "borrowed breath" from God, as mentioned in Genesis 2:7? How does this perspective change our view of life and interactions with others? [12:42]
2. How can the practice of "box breathing" help us manage stress and anxiety, and what spiritual benefits might it offer? [02:52]
3. Reflecting on Moses' encounter with the burning bush, how can we become more aware of God's presence in our everyday lives? [25:52]
4. Considering Proverbs 18:21, how does the understanding that our breath is linked to our spirit influence the way we use our words? [30:13]
#### Application Questions
1. How can you incorporate the practice of "box breathing" into your daily routine to help manage stress and enhance spiritual awareness? [02:52]
2. Think of a recent interaction where you used your words negatively. How could you have used your breath to speak life instead? [34:37]
3. Identify a moment in your daily life that you often overlook. How can you start recognizing it as a potential "burning bush" moment where God might be speaking to you? [25:52]
4. Reflect on a time when you felt far from God. How can the understanding that every breath is a connection to God help you feel closer to Him? [18:56]
5. How can you be more mindful of the "borrowed breath" you share with others, especially those you disagree with or who have wronged you? [30:13]
6. What steps can you take to ensure your speech aligns with the life-giving power of the tongue as described in Proverbs 18:21? [30:13]
7. How can you create a habit of gratitude for the "holy ground" moments in your life, similar to Moses' experience with the burning bush? [26:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Every Breath: A Divine Gift
Breathing is not merely a biological necessity; it is a spiritual act that connects us directly to the divine. Each breath we take is a gift, temporarily borrowed from God, reminding us of our dependence on Him for our very existence. This perspective invites us to view each breath as sacred, transforming our approach to daily life and our interactions with others. Recognizing the divine in every person, we are called to treat all with sanctity and compassion, seeing the breath of God in everyone. This understanding deepens our appreciation for life and enhances our relationships, urging us to live with a heightened sense of purpose and love. [28:05]
Job 33:4 - "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life."
Reflection: How can you show more appreciation for the divine gift of breath in your interactions today?
Day 2: Mastery Over Breath Brings Peace
The practice of controlled breathing, such as box breathing, is not only beneficial for physical and mental health but also enhances spiritual awareness. By mastering our breath, we gain control over our thoughts and emotions, which can often be turbulent. This practice allows us to embody and reflect God's peace, even in challenging situations, and deepens our spiritual connection. The ability to calm our mind and body through controlled breathing equips us to face life's stresses with a composed and focused spirit. [02:52]
Psalm 39:1 - "I said, 'I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.'"
Reflection: What situation in your life right now requires you to practice controlled breathing to maintain peace?
Day 3: Sacred Moments in the Mundane
The story of Moses and the burning bush teaches us that any moment, no matter how ordinary, can become a place of divine encounter. This narrative invites us to be attentive and open to the 'burning bushes'—the unexpected, holy moments in our own lives. Whether we are at work, at home, or in transit, God's presence can sanctify any moment or place. By staying alert to these divine interactions, we can transform our daily experiences and recognize the sacred in the seemingly mundane. [25:52]
Exodus 3:5 - "Then he said, 'Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.'"
Reflection: Identify a 'mundane' part of your day. How can you approach it with a mindset that recognizes potential holy encounters?
Day 4: The Power and Responsibility of Speech
Understanding that our breath is linked to our spirit, and thus to God, underscores the significant responsibility we have in using our speech. Words have the power to uplift or destroy, to bring life or death. This connection between breath, spirit, and speech compels us to use our words wisely, promoting life and expressing God's love, even in difficult conversations. The way we speak can either reflect God's spirit or detract from our spiritual essence and potential. [34:37]
James 3:5-6 - "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness."
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you could have used more uplifting words. How can you improve your speech to reflect God's love more clearly?
Day 5: Finding Holiness in Everyday Life
Just as Moses discovered holy ground in his routine environment, we are called to recognize the holiness present in our everyday lives. This awareness can dramatically shift our perspective, helping us see God's hand in all circumstances. By acknowledging the sacredness of life and the divine breath in us, we are encouraged to live in a manner that honors this gift. This recognition fosters a deeper appreciation for life's blessings and challenges us to live out our faith authentically and passionately. [26:59]
1 Kings 19:12 - "And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
Reflection: What ordinary aspect of your life might be a hidden opportunity to experience God's presence today?
Quotes
1) "Now, so if we breathe faster, the faster we breathe, the more cortisol is, um, is goes on in our body. If we don't breathe, then we have a lack of oxygen. And then what happens? You don't breathe long enough. Like you die, right?" [10:14]
2) "God formed man from the dust of the ground. So he formed him. He made him. And, and breathed into his nostrils, the breath of life. And the man became a living being." [11:57]
3) "That very place that you're standing. It is fully ground. Whether you know it or not. And the reason that you're able to stand in that ground. because the very breath that you are breathing is the borrowed breath of God." [28:05]
4) "If you, if the word breath. In Hebrew, in the original Hebrew, is ruach. In the Old Testament, it's originally written in Greek. The word for breath in Greek is pneuma. There's another word that is used that's the same. Ruach and pneuma, it's spirit. Breath and spirit, interchangeable." [31:25]
5) "But yet, they are still breathing that same borrowed breath of God. What God has called us to do is to love those people. for some, you may say it's impossible, and I'll agree with you, because it is. Without Jesus' help, you cannot." [32:33]
6) "Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, without a doubt. The Lord is in this place. And I did not realize. So many times we get so worked up so many times we are so busy. That we don't even notice. The work that God is doing in our lives." [21:21]
7) "How many burning bushes. Do we have all around us. That we haven't taken time to know. How many times, how many blessings do we have that we have not thank God for how many, how many things have happened in our life that we've just kind of just taken for granted." [26:59]
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