5 November, 2024

Just Breathe

by | 16 September, 2015 | 0 comments

 

By Jim Tune

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.
“”Edwin Hatch, from the hymn “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

Job reaches the limits of his ability to endure. He plunks himself down, ruined, infected, septic. He has lost everything: his children, livestock, livelihood, house, and now his health. He is abandoned on the ash heap, scraping his wounds with the sharp-edged fragments of clay pots.

sept16_JT_JNJob is dying: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In the valley of the shadow of death, but drawing upon the Spirit of God, Job avows: “As long as my breath is in me, and the Spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit” (Job 27:3, 4, English Standard Version). This is a stripped-down, bare-boned expression of faith: the Spirit of God inspires us even””especially“”when we are at the doorstep of death.

Job would not have understood the message of today”s prosperity preachers and motivational talkers. The Spirit in Job is not the power of victorious living””at least not glorious living in the sense of escape from pain, poverty, and grief. The Spirit in Job is not, at this moment, the source of abundant life””at least not abundant life with a permanent smile full of perfect, bright, white teeth and all the trappings of security and success. The Spirit in Job does not manufacture astonishing miracles and spectacles””at least not for this exhausted human being.

That”s not to say the Spirit in Job is powerless, not at all. This Spirit is simply breath, and not very much of it at all. But it is enough.

Job is exhausted. He”s had the wind battered and knocked right out of him. We might say he”s short of breath, that is, God”s Spirit. But he has just enough Spirit-breath to form a string of words with his dry, cracked, dying lips: As long as my breath is in me, I will cling to faith. I will not forsake or curse my God.

Job lives along the hard edge between life and death. But there, on the ash heap, as long as he still lives, as long as God”s breath is in him, Job will speak the truth.

Earlier this summer, I spent a few weeks on the ash heap of depression and discouragement. I”m sure readers can relate to such seasons. A loss or betrayal can knock the wind out of you, leaving a vacuum in the heart. Victorious declarations simply will not save you, but neither will cursing God. Just breathe.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

November 10 Study | I Pledge Allegiance

God’s people should be crystal clear about their allegiance. They play to an audience of one. So they must be very careful of other allegiances. For the believers in the seven churches, that meant coming out from the pagan influences of the culture.

November 10 | Discovery Questions

These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Battle is the Lord’s” (Revelation 17:1-2, 6, 18; 18:1-10), by Mark Scott.

Rescued

Each of us is an individual Titanic. We may, in our pride and self-sufficiency, think that we are uniquely grand and unsinkable. But each of us has already struck the iceberg of sin. It’s only a matter of time. But wait. God has provided a lifeboat for anyone who wants to be rescued.

Reasons to Be Grateful

Let’s honor God in this season as we give thanks for our blessings, as we celebrate our salvation, and as we take the gospel to the world.

Follow Us