There are so many references to breath in Scripture.  It starts right away in Genesis 1, when it says “The breath of God hovered over the darkness” and continues all the way through when Jesus appears to his disciples and breathes on them,  As some of you may know or have heard before, the words for breath (Pneuma in Greek, Ruach in Hebrew) are used interchangeably with Spirit or Holy Spirit.  It’s not a mistake.

There is a lot of great theology wrapped around this idea of breath and Spirit being the same word, but today I’d just like to simplify it a bit.

Take a deep breath in.

Now breathe out.

Again, deep breath in, long exhale out.

That?  That breathing thing you just did?
That’s God.

God with you.

God in you.

When Jesus left the disciples he said that he wasn’t leaving them alone but that a helper, the Holy Spirit (pneuma) would be with them forever. (John 14:26)

And how do we know the Spirit is with us?
We breathe.
In and out.

All day long.

All night long.

Yes, this simplifies a complex theology of the Holy Spirit, but I have found it to be a great comfort to know these two words are essentially the same.
It’s one of the reasons I enjoy yoga so much.  It’s an intentional focus on the breath… which for me, is a constant and intentional reminder of God within.  This works for going on walks or runs without headphones, taking quiet time, or even just taking ten seconds for a deep breath or two.

NO matter where you are, what you are going through, what is around you, when you need to know where God is, all you have to do is breathe.

“The breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

A few more times, breathe in, deeply.  And let it out.
God with us.
God with you.

Amen

PS.

Need a song on this rainy Friday?
This one always reminds me of the truth of breath and Spirit.
“it’s Your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise”

PS #2
Fun tidbit: If you breathe a cycle of deep breaths in and out 15 times, research has shown that cortisol (the stress hormone) stops being produced and your body makes endorphins instead.  AND it can last up to an hour!  That means a short few minutes of breathing (connecting to God) can calm you down and make you feel better.  SCIENCE!!