[This post is in a weekly devotional series called Everything New. Sign up here if you’re interested.]
When I finished college I took a third-shift job working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home. My wife, who was training as a social worker, suggested that one of the best ways I could prepare to be a pastor was to take care of people at their most vulnerable time in life. And she was right. In the months that I spent from 11 pm to 7 am, through the dark and unquiet hours of the night watching over a ward of elderly patients, I learned so much about our physical frailty, the unexpected cry in the middle of the night, and the endurance of the soul.
One night the head nurse told me that a ninety-year-old lady who had bumped her head and whose vital signs were very unsteady would probably not make it through the night. There was no family nearby, and so would I be willing to sit with her during her final hours?
In the darkened room all I could focus on was the unevenness of her breaths. Short, panting, long, stopped. A couple of times she stopped breathing, and when I stood to my feet she started again. It was almost as if the sound of my shuffling feet stirred her back. But finally, when the last erratic breaths came and when there was one, long exhale, there was total silence and total peace. It was almost as if her breath was her living soul, and when it left the room, it was like a person walking right out the door.
When he breathed his last breath, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” The Hebrew and the Greek words for “breath” can also be translated as “spirit” or “wind.” So breath is the most obvious symbol of life itself, and especially that inner animating principle the Bible calls soul. It all began in Genesis: God formed the man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. Amazing. Incredible.
So, if you are reading this, it means your last breath has not come, and your spirit or soul is still animating your body. The pieces of personhood are still together, and you have an extraordinary opportunity to glorify God with what you do in heart, soul, strength, mind, and body in the days you still have. Every day should count. Every breath does count. But you have to believe that these pieces of your life–body and soul, thought and emotion and will, creativity and morality–all hold together, making you a member of the most complex and sophisticated race God ever made. The pieces of what makes you, you, may seem like a puzzle sometime, but they all come together into a picture that God has held in his mind long before you were ever born.
Excerpt from Putting the Pieces Back Together: How Real Life and Real Faith Connect. Free DVD available now.
Thank you so much for your thoughts. They are very encouraging and challenging. I am being challenged to interact with people in their needy conditions just as Jesus did. It is not always pretty or fun and certainly not glamorous. It has been easy to superficially help people or help in small ways, but to really invest in those who don’t have it all together is a real challenge and often costs more than I really want to give. I will keep walking toward the call your wife helped you see as that young person. Have a great day! Scott
Excellent! Very thought provoking and enlightening… thank you for sharing it with us. 🙂
I Love the post, every breath does count, that’s why is important to live like there is no tomorrow, and make sure we are doing everything that pleases God. After that one last breath there is no return to fix what was done wrong. . God bless.
I thought this was a great article… I am finally after many years finding some solace in my mind and spirit… I am also out of work right now Re: out of stress too… We are surviving although we could be doing better… But then what is better?
I am freezing vegetable for the first time and stocking up for winter… I hope this is true for my soul also…
Thank you for sharing your experience with me. God bless you!
I firmly believe that life is determine by two things, your breath and your heart, that when either of
this stop for any time, your body is dead and you have passed from this life. What you have done up
to this point will determine were you will spend ETERNITY.
how true and how wonderfull
It all began in Genesis: God formed the man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. Amazing. Incredible.
Mel Lawrenz, I am surprised that you authored the above quote from your devotional today!
Why? So many people are troubled by the definition of a “soul” that, I think, it clouds their
reasoning ability concerning the truth of the Holy Bible. By God’s grace and His enduring
love for mankind, when the BREATH OF LIFE entered our lifeless body, we became a LIVING
SOUL. We were not ‘body and soul’ —- we became a LIVING SOUL! Thanks for this enlightening
and bit of God’s truth.
Henry
I am learning to always use the armor of protection.. spiritual warfare that has robbed me of so many years with my God. slowly I am understanding what to do !!
Thanks be to God for His love… Fight back by using truth from the word of God…
God,,,Our soul protector!!
As a young nurse years ago I worked night shift the first three months after graduating. How well I remember what is describe here; but I never thought of life this way until I came to know Christ. This is so inspiring and really makes you think. God bless you.
This message could not have been more timely!!! The pieces are still together so it is up to me to BELIEVE that God as a purpose for them. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” THANK YOU!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. And its so true!!! The Lord confirmed to me twice today that it is so important to accomplish His plan over my life that I still have time. I think about the days getting shorter and all these different things happening in the world. I believe the Lord is coming soon!!! I also think about making more time for family and friends which is so important. Telling them that I love them and sharing the gospel of Jesus. Those closes to me need to know the gospel as welll. So I thank God for today and all He has done. I will not take my days for granted. Grace and Peace!!!!
I enjoyed this reading today. It lets me know that God is still in control and I have the most precious thing besides the Holy Ghost and that is life, and the air I breathe I am so grateful for this reading. It encouraged me to make the most of the time while I’m still here. It also encouraged me to use my time wisely and do what God wants me to do.
confirmation! Thx! and God Bless!
thank you. God bless you
How perfect. What a creator. Who can truly know God, except that He is revealed through the Holy Spirit, who is the perfect gift living in us, who guides our steps, gives us peace, strengthens us, transforms our minds, etc. We must live daily, honouring Him and glorifying Him and praising Him and loving Him with every breath in us, for everything He has done for us. And we get to live with Him in eternity forever. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
A very thought provoking article. I do believe it is within God’s plan that I am responding to the article as I do have breath in me. And, I thank God everyday for my life and each day of it.
Yes, there are days when I wonder what His plan is for me. I am curious but do know that His surprises are wonderful! Amazing and lovely! So, I do not question, nor do I try to peek or second guess Him because with God as my pilot, my life so far as been wonderful and much more than I ever dreamed.
I will continue to follow God and let His plan be my life!