Breathe in Life

“Thus says the Lord God to these dry bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live” (Ezekiel 37:5, NRSV)

Pastor Melinda’s sermon this week reminded us that God breathes life into us when we feel as dry and dead as the bones of Ezekiel’s vision. Just as he entered the stench and death of Lazarus’ tomb to restore life, God will renew us.

Throughout Ezekiel 37, the word for breath is ruwach, which can also be translated as wind, spirit or Holy Spirit, according to a trusty Hebrew lexicon. Ruwach appears in Genesis 1:2 in the creation of the world, with Moses when he divided the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21, and in Psalm 104 when He renews the Earth. God’s breath/spirit has been present since the beginning of creation and continues to create within us.

As we prepare for the holiest week of the year, I invite you to breathe in His renewing spirit. Perhaps you will incorporate breath prayers into your day, meditate on the words of the hymn “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”, or simply breathe and know that He is here.

~Rachel