May 25, 2020, was an infamous day where three words became a mantra for a movement … “I can’t breathe.” No matter what you think of those words or the movement, hearing those words from any human being, is a cry for help. Breath is essential to life … and there are times in life where breath is in short supply.
There have been a couple of times and circumstances in my life where the air was sucked from the room, and I could not breathe! One such time was in high school when I had to quit the wrestling team. I had no way to get home after practices and I lived 15 miles from my school … and walking home every day after practice was not sustainable. As a sophomore in high school, I felt like I was a quitter and my wrestling coach said as much. I was cursed, shamed, called names by a coach, an authority figure in my life … and I could not breathe. I felt abandoned, overwhelmed, and hopeless. I could not breathe because of the stress of that decision and the shame and condemnation that resulted. I found myself gasping for emotional air. Even then I was learning something about my relationship with Christ … He was the air I breathe. I was learning that I could run to Him and find a spiritual oxygen mask and breathe. I could exhale my pain, stress, anxiety, disappointment … failure and inhale forgiveness, acceptance, love, mercy, grace … peace.
In Christ, I can breathe even when the circumstances of life punch me in the gut and take my breath away. You probably know what I am talking about. You may have had those moments where you could not breathe … because of a betrayal, a divorce, a sudden death or a medical diagnosis that sucked the air right out of your life. You did not know what you were going to do or where you could turn … then there was Jesus whispering to you, “Are you tired? Worn out? … Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” The Message translation of Matthew 11:28-30
The last couple of years have been difficult for many of us and we have found it hard to breathe at times, not sure if we would make it. But you have … and you are reading this now. I hope that you know that in Christ, we can have His Spirit give us new life. In Christ, we can breathe as the Spirit brings us to life and gives us spiritual breath! So, no matter where you are, right now … breathe!
Take a breath break … and just sit in the presence of Christ. Breathe in and breathe out, inhale and exhale - and know that God is with you!
– Pastor Jerry
