The Breath of Life

Have you heard of “Red Tide”?

The first time I heard about it was last year and I didn't pay much attention to it because it wasn't impacting me at the time. This year is much different. Red Tide is caused by huge algae blooms (HAB’s) in the ocean that produce toxins. These toxins kill fish and can get airborne, causing respiratory issues in people. The gulf coast of Florida is heavily impacted right now. Everyone in our area is coughing and many are having trouble breathing. One of the worst parts is the stench from the dead fish that are washed up all along the beach. Hopefully, the red tide symptoms will subside at some point, but for now it’s a looming presence.

During this Red Tide mess, I am trying to turn toward the author of life for hope and encouragement. I am frustrated about the air quality for myself and my neighbors, but I know from the scriptures that it is God who truly gives me the breath of life. Our world is going to let us down, but the giver of life never will. He gives us everything we need, including our very breath and the Holy Spirit right along with it (for those that chose to believe).

What about you? In what ways are you feeling let down by the world?

Do you feel as though you are breathing the breath of life from the Spirit or breathing in toxicity that is coming from the world?

What if you were to try some deep breathing exercises (inside your house) while you meditated on the scriptures below? Does this help bring you peace?

Scripture

Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7

Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: Isaiah 42:5

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to the, “Receive the Holy Spirit…” John 20: 21-22