Breathe

Sometimes God speaks through movies. Even re-runs.

On a recent slow Saturday afternoon, I sat down to watch the last half hour of the movie Hoosiers. It’s a feel-good sports movie about a small-town high school basketball team that wins the state championship. It’s a David and Goliath sort of adventure that includes a love story. I’ve probably seen it at least six times.

In the final scene, the smaller, less likely basketball team makes a last-second point to defeat the team favored for the championship.
I knew this was going to happen. I’d seen it before. But this time when I saw the ending, I had an involuntary sob erupt from deep inside my chest. I pushed it back down out of embarrassment, but it sat heavy in my throat wanting to be released.

I’m not stoic. I cry at movies. But it’s usually the teardrop-out-of-the-side-of-your-eye kind of cry. This was an ugly sob that wanted to erupt. Where did it come from?

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen good defeat evil,” I said to my husband as I tried to explain my emotional response.

Then it dawned on me.

I was feeling hope – and it caused me to take a deep, sudden breath.

I’m not sure when it started, but somewhere in the heaviness of the last three months, I’d stopped getting my hopes up and I’d started holding my breath. Somewhere along the way, I’d gotten deflated and let current events dictate my level of faith and hope instead of leaning on God for strength.

With that realization I began to see a pattern in the effects of the recent world events -- LACK OF BREATH.

1. Pandemic – A major symptom of COVID-19 is difficulty breathing.
2. Racism – The world watched as the breath of a man was slowly snuffed out.
3. Weird weather – A dust cloud from the Sahara Desert made it difficult for some people with allergies to breathe as it passed over.
4. COVID restrictions – Don’t breathe on people. Cover your mouth. In some situations, don’t sing.

The target of all these forces was the same – our breath.

This isn’t just about physical breath. I believe there is also an attack on our spiritual breath.

The Old Testament Hebrew word for the Spirit of God is ruach which means breath. God’s breath is responsible for all that is created. The Ruach Elohim is mentioned in the first verses of Genesis to describe the Spirit of God hovering over the waters. In Genesis 2:7, “God breathed into man’s nostrils and he became a living being.”

In the New Testament, the Greek word for breath is pneuma which also means spirit, often the Holy Spirit. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, “he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:22)

As I processed this insight, I could sense God’s invitation for me, and anyone else who is weary, to receive a divine resuscitation – allowing His Spirit to fill us anew with hope that only He can bring.

To activate this hope, we use our breath. Here’s a few ways to begin:

1. Speak God’s word out loud.

I know it sounds strange, but there’s something important about using sound waves right now. Amidst all the voices and discord that currently fill the air, there’s a shift when we speak God’s word out loud. Find a Bible verse that ministers to you and read it out loud. It’s a powerful way to pray. It aligns our spirits with God’s purposes. That doesn’t mean that all our wishes and desires come true.

God’s Word is a sword, not a magic wand.

When we declare God’s truth out loud, it first begins to cut away at us – removing strongholds and attitudes that need to go. This process strengthens our ability to cooperate with God’s purposes on earth and recognize where He is at work.

2. Pray with others.

Praying with others in person or virtually holds us accountable to pray, keeps us from becoming too isolated, and strengthens us to hold on in faith to the promises we are believing God to fulfill.

3. Speak Life over others.

Is there something good you see in someone? Tell them! Is there encouragement you have for someone who is struggling? Share it! It’s life to the bones. Ezekiel literally found this out when He spoke the word of the Lord over a whole valley of dry bones.

In Ezekiel 37, God told Ezekiel to “prophesy to the breath” of these dry bones. Verse 10 says: “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet – a vast army.”

So I’m using my breath and I’m declaring to anyone who will listen that I believe with all my heart that the best is yet to come. We aren’t supposed to sit this one out. As we lean into God’s Word and are empowered by his Spirit, we will receive a second wind that enables us to walk out the role in the story God has written for each of us.

It’s a David and Goliath sort of adventure that includes a love story.

Becoming

What will we be like when this pandemic is over?

If you’re like me, you’ve thought about the things you want to do and the people you want to see and hug when these COVID-19 sanctions lift. This time sequestered in our homes has given us all a greater appreciation for things and people we once took for granted.

But what if this time has been about more than that?

What if we have an opportunity to not just exit out of this experience, but emerge from it?

What if this time we’ve been in hasn’t been so much a holding tank, but a cocoon?

As a Christian, I’ve been in awe at how this quarantine experience has made my anticipation of this Easter even more meaningful.

As I look forward to celebrating Christ’s resurrection this Sunday, there are some insights I’m having as I walk through these holy days just before.

1.Before there can be a resurrection, there must be a death. We celebrate Christ’s resurrection because he was faithful first to die on the cross for us. We don’t always get to fast forward to the happy ending. We usually get walk through and learn from each page of our lives. This chapter of quarantine has been one that has handed many of us an opportunity to die to certain things we’ve relied too heavily upon.

2.Some things must die – Bad habits, addictions, character flaws, relationship issues all have a way of rearing their heads in a time like this. Chances are good that you already know what your issues are, and you’ve tried several ways to improve in these areas. But what if the real thing that needs to be laid down in this season is our sense of self sufficiency to take care of these issues ourselves? Only God can bring a dead relationship back to life. Only God can straighten the places where we’ve gone askew. Certainly, there will be things we get to do in partnership with God, but the main is challenge we face is handing Him the controls.


3.Some things get to die – So many of us have things we’ve had to cancel or miss because of quarantine -- proms, graduations, birthdays, wedding and anniversary celebrations, trips abroad, business plans. The list goes on and on. Surrendering our plans and disappointment to God is hard and it can hurt. Jesus is our example in this struggle. He has felt the agony of surrendering to God’s will. He prayed on the Mount of Olives right before he was betrayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” In his humanity Jesus agonized over what he knew was ahead of him and longed for a different way to work things out. But he surrendered his will to God’s bigger plan.


4.Death and surrender can make rich soil -- Death isn’t the end. As we surrender more fully to God, it creates this beautiful fertile place where God can do a new thing in us. It opens the door to the bigger redemption story He has written for us to walk out. In the end, we will see our plans were too small.

As I approach this Good Friday, and I remember the sacrifice Jesus made for me, I am asking myself what places I’ve struggled giving up during this time. I’m choosing to loosen my grip on those things and make them my offering to God. And in that place, I’m believing for a resurrection that only God could bring.

Stillness

As an introvert, I must admit my heart did a happy flutter when I was told I had to work from home due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Week One didn’t disappoint. I was excited to get to work in my sweats and accomplish a lot in the quietness of my house.

But as I begin to walk through the threshold of Week Three, I don’t feel so fluttery. I feel more like I’m being grounded. Many of my social privileges have been taken away in the last few weeks and I am confined to my home except for a daily walk and an occasional trip to the store.

A blanket of stillness has fallen all over the world.

Even if you are home with your spouse and children, there’s a kind of stillness — no school, no soccer games or gymnastics. Although there may be some hassles related to this new living arrangement, there’s no hustle and bustle. We are just home alone or with our immediate family.

In an instant, our social calendars were wiped clean. Stillness.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this stillness.

Stillness can be unsettling or peaceful.
The lack of familiar distractions can be uncomfortable because it enables us to more easily see issues we have been hiding from or neglecting to address in our lives.
But there’s also a clarity that can come with stillness — a freedom to focus on what truly matters.

God often speaks in stillness.
In 1 Kings 19:11-13, after Elijah had a major victory and defeated the prophets of Baal, fear gripped him, and he ran for his life from Queen Jezebel.
After this, when God spoke to Elijah, His voice didn’t come in a mighty wind, on in an earthquake, or in a fire, but in a still small voice.
And God’s question to Elijah was, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

In this season of stillness, perhaps God is coming near and whispering to each of us, “What are you doing here?” We have a fresh opportunity to truly look at ourselves.
Where do we want to change? What really matters? What relationships do we want to cherish and hold onto?

Stillness can heal.
Psalm 23:2 - 3 says, “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
If we cooperate with God’s leading, there is a restorative, healing effect of the stillness and peace God’s presence brings.

Stillness invites us to intimacy with God
Not only do our own issues become clearer in stillness, but God does too. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God.”
The word know in this verse means the know intimately.

My husband is a tall man, and when I give him a bear hug, the side of my face falls on his chest right where his heart is. If I am still, I can hear his slow steady heartbeat. Intimate stillness.

As all the voices in this pandemic season urge us to keep our distance and wash our hands, God’s still small voice is beckoning us to draw near to him, hear His heartbeat and experience His peace.

I don’t want to come out of this time without being changed for the better. So, as I stare at Week Three of “shelter in place,” I am committing to remind myself that I’m not being grounded by this stillness, but rather invited into it -- to know God and His peace more fully.

A Word of Encouragement

Amid the massive upheaval that the Coronavirus is causing, it can be difficult not to fall prey to the fear that is so quickly engulfing the world. But I believe this is a key time for the people of God to walk in the powerful reality of the love and peace that only God can give. While borders, schools, and public events are closing, unique doors of opportunity are swinging open for believers to share God’s hope.

Our challenge is to look with heaven’s eyes at this situation – eyes of faith. This situation does not limit God. What is He doing in this and how can we co-labor with Him? I know of a ministry team that is currently on a Spring Break outreach in New York City. Although some would say the timing of their trip is unfortunate, they have had incredible opportunities to minister the peace of Christ in the midst of widespread panic within the city.

To walk in the faith and power God gives us, we must “put on the full armor of God so that we can stand our ground.” (Ephesians 6:10 - 18)

This isn’t being “super-spiritual.” We still acknowledge the facts. Coronavirus is a real thing. It has the power to spread rapidly. There are healthy choices we can make to try to keep ourselves free from sickness.

But we do not have to fear. We have the power of God’s Word, the sword of the Spirit, to fight against this.
2 Timothy 1:7 is a Scripture that gives us words to live by during this time:

“God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear” – When we feel ourselves slipping down the rabbit hole of “what ifs” that the daily news delivers, we can remind ourselves that this panic isn’t from God. Fight back by doing what you need to focus on the truth of God’s peace amid difficult circumstances.

“But of power” – God’s Word has power. Declare it. Read passages of Scripture over your home, speak them out as you walk in your neighborhood and workplace. Pray them over your country and the world.

“And of love” – How is God inviting you to display and share His love? Be ready to encourage, bless others and share God’s love to those He places in your path.

“And a sound mind” – Look at the facts, rightly assess the threat, make healthy choices. Walk in the wisdom that God brings.

As we choose to trust in God, this can be a “David and Goliath” moment for believers. While the enemy tries to loom large and render the world powerless by instilling fear and panic, we have the opportunity to experience the bigness of our God as we trust in Him and declare His truth. As Hebrews 10:25 says, “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” In the days ahead, let’s be carriers of the contagious peace and love that only Christ can bring! Amazing opportunities await us!

Expectantly Waiting

Waiting. It’s frustrating. It’s maddening. It can be holy.

Most of the substantial spiritual fruit in my life has come from seasons of waiting. Long delays have challenged my personal agendas and invited me to slow down and focus on the things that truly matter.

Waiting reveals the condition of my heart.

I love Advent Season. It’s essentially a season dedicated to waiting – expectant waiting to celebrate Jesus’ birth and to anticipate His future return.
Waiting by itself can be pointless, but expectant waiting means there is hope for something ahead. There is purpose to the waiting.

But even expectant waiting can be difficult when it takes a long time. It’s difficult to keep believing day after day that there’s a reason to hope. It stretches me. I can’t do this on my own. I must have God’s help.

One of my favorite Advent songs is “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Charles Wesley. That’s a fancy English title that just means, “Come on, Jesus! We’ve been waiting a long time!”

Simeon and Anna are my spiritual heroes. They knew about waiting.

Simeon was a man who “was righteous and devout.” The Holy Spirit was upon him and revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen “the Lord’s Christ.”
Anna was a prophetess who was widowed after only seven years of marriage. She had spent the rest of her life (84 years) living in the temple and worshipping day and night.

Simeon and Anna had actively waited for most of their lives to meet their Messiah. It would be impossible for them not to have expectations about who Messiah might be. It’s doubtful they thought He would be an 8-day-old infant. Their ability to recognize baby Jesus as Messiah shows they had kept their hearts soft in the waiting. They quickly discarded any of their own expectations and glorified God.

Simeon said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all people.” (Luke 2:29-31)

Expectant waiting gives us eyes to see what God is doing in plain sight – things that might be easy to miss otherwise.

So, this Advent Season, as I anticipate celebrating Jesus’ birth, I’m also leaning in to the places of longing where I’m still waiting for God to show up in deeper ways. And I’m asking for spiritual eyes to recognize His presence – even when He shows up in unexpected ways.

Getting there from here

I've been thinking about my spiritual journey lately and looking at the different junctures I've encountered along the way. All these crossing points start with the letter B, so I think there must be a sermon in there somewhere:)

1. Barriers -- We've all encountered them. They are those things that seemingly will not budge. They can take our focus away from God and tempt us to give up hope. Sometimes they are there because of something sinful we've done, but sometimes they aren't. Either way, these road blocks challenge our faith and trust in God.

Barriers can sometimes be spiritual deserts -- maybe God doesn't seem to be speaking the way He used to, doors of opportunity aren't opening, or life feels stale. I've had a couple of memorable desert seasons in my life. While I was in them, I was sometimes convinced I would never get out. But each desert season had a unique way of slowing my life down. In this place of stillness the areas where my life had become off balance came into focus. I'd placed my confidence too much in a job position or in what other people thought. God was asking me to put my confidence back in him. For me, the ticket out of the desert was surrender -- surrender of the picture I thought my life was going to look like -- surrender to God's plan.

2. Boundaries -- Boundaries are a buzzword in today's society. While they exist for our protection, that doesn't mean they aren't frustrating when they are encountered.

In my life, God has laid boundary lines in front of me several times that have stopped me from moving into a place that I wasn't yet equipped to handle. For me this has happened in situations where God spoke something to my heart and I thought it was supposed to happen right away. Wrong. This delay made me question whether or not I had heard God at all. My ticket out of this dilemma was patience. During the time that I (imperfectly) waited for God to deliver on His word, He was faithfully preparing me to be able to sustain and walk in what He had for me. In His grace, He refused to let me rush the process and risk destroying or diluting his purpose for my life.

3. Borders -- My family lived in Canada for four years, and during that time we crossed the border into the U.S. many times. It was always very obvious when we reached the border. It was a place that was clearly marked where we had to stop and present our identification before we could pass through.

Today, my family lives in Texas, and we regularly visit relatives in Tulsa. When we cross over the border from Texas into Oklahoma, if I'm paying attention, I see the sign letting me know I've entered another state. But there have been plenty of times when I didn't even realize when we crossed over from one state to another.

Similarly, there have been clearly marked events in my life where I've definitely crossed over into new territory. Marriage and parenting were two examples of this. While life still went on after both of these events, it was very apparent that I had entered into a new place. Decisions were made differently. Schedules changed. My life was forever altered -- (for the good).

Then there have been those borders that I crossed in my life without knowing exactly when it happened. These came at times when I walked through a long process of (imperfectly) choosing to be obedient to something God asked of me. One place this happened is where I chose to forgive when my heart didn't want to. For months I flip-flopped in my willingness to give things over to God, but each time I would land on the side of forgiveness. Over time, things didn't hurt as much. Then there was that day when I realized that I actually could wish that person well without wanting to hurl. Somewhere in all the wrestling, my heart had been set free. I'd crossed the border into true forgiveness.

4. Bridges -- Bridges help us cross over to places we could not reach on our own strength. Jesus is the ultimate example of this. He laid down his life and in doing so spanned the huge canyon our sin had created that separated us from God.

There is a selfless path where God calls each of us to be a bridge. There are specific places God asks us to lay down our lives in a way that helps others to cross over into places they could not reach on their own. It's the Body of Christ in action. I want to say yes to that!
(I've written more about being a bridge in an earlier blog I posted in 2012 called "Like a Bridge".)

Keeping it real time (with my husband and Sir Paul)

About 10 years ago when my second daughter started college, she encouraged me to join a social media site called Facebook.

"It's mainly college kids," she explained. "But there are some people on it who are your age, and it will be a fun way for us to stay in contact."

I joined Facebook and had a great time inviting the college students I knew to be my friends. Our home computer at that time was upstairs and each night I would enjoy looking over the posts of my Facebook friends. It felt kind of like reading a news paper with stories about people I knew. I was shocked, however, why people would post pictures of their vacations and things like that. Why did they think everyone wanted to see their pictures of the Rocky Mountains, or Disney Land?

Over the last 10 years as the home computer has taken a backstage to the smartphone, it's become even easier to post personal details on multiple social media websites -- and I have followed the trend.

So much of this has been fun. I've kept track of birthdays and stayed in touch with friends and family in a way that doesn't happen by mailing letters. I can get regular pictures of my grandkids, and FaceTime allows me to see those dear to me as we chat. I enjoy keeping up to date on the events of my friends' lives. Sometimes I even like looking at the photos of what they ate for dinner (within reason).

But the whole social media thing has had an effect on me that I'm not proud to admit.

It's made it harder for me to "live in the moment."

I'm embarrassed to say that many conversations I have with my family and friends are at least temporarily disrupted with the "ping" of a text or Facebook message.

Whenever I have an extended time away from my phone, I'm swift to pick it up to see what I missed while I was gone.

At times when I am enjoying a night out with family or friends, instead of fully entering into the moment, I often think about capturing a photo so I can show everyone on Facebook or Instagram the great fun I'm having.

I want to be better than that.

I first became aware of this problem three years ago.

My husband surprised me with a road trip to Edmonton Alberta to see Paul McCartney in concert. As we sat in our seats waiting for the concert to begin, I pulled out my cell phone and started to take a selfie of the two of us in the midst of a swarm of Paul McCartney fans.

"What are you doing?" my husband asked.

"I'm taking a picture of us to post on Facebook," I answered.

"Dont do that!" he protested as he stuck his arm out to block my shot.

"Why not?" I said perturbed.

"This is OUR anniversary."

BAM.

My husband's invitation for me to join him in real time hit me square between the eyes. It highlighted how I was thinking more about my "friends" in cyberland than I was about the person right in front of me.

We thoroughly enjoyed that evening. Sir Paul came back for 3 encores and the only photo I have to show for it is one I took at the beginning of the evening when we were standing in line waiting to get inside. I'm bundled up in my winter coat standing with a cut out of my favorite Beatle.

All the other pictures of the evening lay in the memories of my husband and I. We truly spent the evening together in real time.

Today my family will tell you I still spend way too much time on my phone, but since that McCartney concert, I'm more aware of the times I manage to live "unplugged" from social media whether it's watching the sun go down, enjoying a cup of coffee with my daughter, or just having a quiet day at home.

When all is said and done, I want to have really lived my life, and not just posted about it.