Let God Breathe

There are always going to be things in this world that are too big and way too hard for us to understand. There are things that defy our understanding really - even though we say we understand gravity, do we really? I think the force of gravity is actually a God-breathed thing - not some force of nature. Colossians 1:17 reminds us that all things are held together by the hands of God. That makes gravity something that is kind of "God-breathed" - it is there because he is there! Do I have to understand that totally, or just trust that he is looking after his creation and takes every detail of our lives into his hands each and every moment? I think the the latter is probably closer to how we all want to live, but I also know many of us are 'silenced' by the things we don't understand - we get all focused on them and lose sight of the One who is always there and in control - even when we don't see or hear him.

O Eternal One, my heart is not occupied with proud thoughts; my eyes do not look down on others;
I don’t even begin to get involved in matters too big, matters of faith, state, business, or the many things that defy my ability to understand them. Of one thing I am certain: my soul has become calm, quiet, and contented in You. Like a weaned child resting upon his mother, I am quiet. My soul is like this weaned child. (Psalm 131:1-2)

I am quiet - resting upon God. This is the best place to be, but have you ever noticed how frequently we find ourselves 'silenced' in a place where our heart is wondering just what is going on around us? It is like chaos abounds and we just draw near to his breast and rest there. We are brought into contented silence and just listen to the rhythm of his breathing for a while. We don't understand how his breath gives life to all things, but we trust that it does. We don't fully comprehend the things that escape our reasoning, but we find ourselves just resting in his ability to set things in order. One thing I heard recently is that even in the midst of the greatest silence, God is NEVER silent. What does this mean to us today? He still breathes! He still moves! He still maintains control! He still creates! He still upholds!

Silent places are not always comfortable ones for us because in silence we sometimes begin to dwell upon thoughts that had no 'voice' when we were so caught up in the frenzy of life. As I enter into silent places in my life, I have learned to listen - not because it is easy to be silent - but because it is only when I actually begin to settle those other thoughts that God is able to take those otherwise unnoticed thoughts and begin to breathe life into them. It is like he begins to create things anew in my life and in that newness comes something that oftentimes defies my ability to understand, but I trust him with what he is doing and saying. In time, I find he has breathed into my life in ways beyond my comprehension, but not beyond my appreciation and thanks! Just sayin!