Learning to Breathe with God

 

Learning to Breathe with God by Christine Sine

Breathing prayers are not about emptying ourselves so that we feel a void inside. They are about renewing our minds by saturating ourselves with the presence of God. I like to imagine that the outward breath creates a new space for God to fill. The inward breath draws something new of God’s character into me. As I breathe this prayer I visualize myself breathing in a little more of God and who God intends me to be and letting go of some of what is not of God.

Breathe out empty yourself: of hate, of fear, of anxiety,
Breathe in fill yourself with love, with life, with mercy.
Breathe out empty yourself of busyness, of selfishness of greed,
Breathe in fill yourself with peace, with joy, with hope.
Breathe out empty yourself of idolatry, of self-worship, of false gods,
Breathe in fill yourself with God, with Christ, with the Holy Spirit.

 

Breathing prayers can also form an important foundation for our engagement in the pain and suffering of God’s world. I wrote the following prayer to remind myself that breath cannot be held to oneself. We must breathe it back out into the world.  I am called to be both a contemplative and an activist and I as I take notice of my breathing I am reminded constantly of that.

Breathe in the love of God,
Breathe out and share it with the world.
Breathe in the peace of God,
Breathe out and share it with the world.
Breathe in the life of God,
Breathe out and share it with the world.
Breathe in all that is of God,
Breathe out and share it with the world.

 

Obviously, this is a very different understanding of the outward breath than I described above. This double meaning is very much in keeping with the physical act of breathing out however. We breathe out to expel toxic substances from your body, cleansing and renewing our blood. That outgoing breath can also be a source of life to others however. Mouth to mouth resuscitation depends on this. That breath which cleanses and renews our bodies, holds something of the life-giving presence of God which goes back out into the world to renew the life of others.

Beautiful Sky

On Wednesday, June 24, I was on my way to Flow for youth group when I noticed a beautiful rainbow in the sky.  I needed to stop at the church and I was glad that I did.  The view of the rainbow from our parking lot was breath taking, so I did what many folks would do and took a picture.  The picture is not as breathtaking as seeing it for yourself.  

After seeing the rainbow, I have intentionally taken notice of the sky.  I took note of when the sky was a stunning blue without a cloud to be seen.  I noticed the sky when it was full of fluffy clouds or light whimsical clouds.  I watched as storm clouds roll in moments before the rain began to fall.  The sky is a work of art that changes each day. 

As many of you know, I love being outside in God’s beautiful creation.  It heals my soul and helps to reset my mind. It is so good for me to be outside. Seeing rainbows in the midst of a busy day, reminds me that God is ever present.  God’s creation is so beautiful.

One of the simple things that I enjoy during the summer months is walking through the grass barefoot.  I went barefoot all the time as a child so when I walk in the grass barefoot, it reminds me of my childhood. The grass in my yard is thick and soft and when my feet touch it, I feel a deeper connection to the earth.  It is so good for my soul. 

I encourage you to stop and take notice of God’s wonderful creation, especially as we begin a busy holiday weekend.  Take a moment for yourself to just breath in all that God has created, from a small blossom on a wild flower to a beautiful rainbow in the sky.  If you are able walk in the grass barefoot, try it and take note on how it feels. Connecting with nature is good for our souls.  I hope you are able to find time to connect with God’s creation and appreciate the beauty of it all.  

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber