Breathe
by Clint Chamberlain
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word breathe as follows: to draw air into and expel it from the lungs or to pause and rest before continuing.
I just returned from a seven-day vacation where I did just that—paused and rested before continuing. I didn’t realize how tense and stressed out I had become. If you haven’t yet noticed, 2020 continues to be one crazy year, and we still have five months left. We are dealing with a virus that is causing fear, anxiety, anger, lock downs, mask mandates, school shutdowns, canceled activities such as graduations, church services, weddings, sporting events, etc. There are voices on one side screaming that this virus is no worse than the seasonal flu, and others saying it is the worst pandemic since the Spanish flu. We have seen the ugly face of racism streaming across our social media platforms as bad cops use their power to take lives. We have seen good policeman suffer injustice as they attempt to protect and serve. We have watched as peaceful protests have been taken over by anarchists and turned into rioting mobs. The news cycle and social media continue to feed us left vs. right, Democrat vs. Republican, kneeling vs. standing, mask vs. no mask, virtual school vs. meeting on campus and on and on.
This past week, I went off the grid: no social media, no TV news, no newspapers (yes I’m that old) and no email. After a couple of days, I realized I was breathing again. What I mean is that I was aware that I was taking some deep cleansing breaths in and out. I don’t know exactly why that caught my attention, but it did. Could it be that I have been so wrapped up in all that is going on that I wasn’t taking the time to really breathe? What I mean is to slow down and reflect on the things that really matter, the eternal things. I started reflecting on the different relationships I have in my life that are a true blessing and joy (breathe in, breathe out). I reflected on how our youngest child has just graduated from high school and is getting ready to begin a new chapter in her life called college (breathe in, breathe out). I reflected how my wife, Deb, and I are now empty nesters (breathe in, breathe out). I reflected on our five grandkids and the joy they bring to our lives (breathe in, breathe out). I looked around at nature and realized how big God is that he controls the tides, the stars, the weather and the universe. All of a sudden, the world’s issues didn’t seem so daunting (breathe in, breathe out).
Let me encourage you to take some time this week just to breathe. Yes, I mean physically breathe. Breathe in deep full breaths and then let them out slowly. Do that three or four times in a row (be careful not to get dizzy since you haven’t had that much oxygen in your lungs for a while.) Feel the tension leave your body every time you exhale. Take some time away from the news and social media.
I want to encourage you to also breathe in spiritually and emotionally. Take in these verses:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 ESV).
Breathe in, breathe out.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 ESV).
Breathe in, breathe out.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV).
Breathe in, breathe out.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV).
Breathe in, breathe out.
The first thing we do when we are born is take a breath. The last thing we do before dying is take our last breath. Let me encourage you to take time in between the first and the last breath to breathe. Breathe in the greatness and the goodness of God. Breathe in the relationships he has placed you in. Breathe in his word and hide it in your heart.
This will definitely be a year for the books but remember it is just one year, not eternity!
Breathe!
Author Bio
Clint is the Executive Pastor for Outside-the-Walls Ministries at Council Road. He has been on staff for almost 17 years. Clint has a desire to see the church active and to make a difference both locally and globally by living out its mission to be salt and light. He has been married to wife, Deb, for 38 years, has three children and five grandchildren. He feels closest to God when he is outdoors and experiences God’s creation first hand.