At the beginning of each month or a new ministry I pray, ask, and listen to what the Lord will be teaching me during that month. This month, my last month on the Race, I asked what God was preparing for me.
He told me THE ART OF BREATHING.
I’ve heard of many different types of art, but never the art of breathing.
But think about it.
God created everything – even how we breath.
When we create something we call it a work of art – whether it be a drawing, a dance, or a song.
So now, it makes sense to me. Breathing is an art, but many times we just see it as something that keeps us going day by day.
My month here in Lovington, Kenya, is almost finished. Each day was filled with teaching, running, praying, singing, and spending quality time with some of the 160+ children here at Great Mercy.
Throughout the month God has shown me different ways that breathing is an art – part of His masterpiece. Now, I never would have thought twice about these different moments had it not been for listening to Him at the beginning of the month.
His answer to what I would be learning kept my focus aware of breathing nuances.
About a week ago Team Spirit Reign took a trip for one night to a different ministry to preach at their church on Sunday. The car ride there was about an hour, shoulder to should with either the side of the van or a team member.
While I was sitting there I was surrounded by sounds. There was Swahili chatter, cars passing outside, and laughter.
I closed my eyes and started to say God, let me hear something beautiful; something that is natural and of you.
Then I heard someone take in a deep breath.
What a beautiful, natural sound.
This month my teammate Jacob and I have been waking up and running with the kids of the orphanage at 5:30 am. Breathing, as you can imagine, is an important key in keeping consistency during a run.
Many of the kids are so excited to start running that they sprint as fast as they can for about 100 meters and then come to a halt, breathing heavy in order to gain up enough energy to start sprinting again.
Now, I’ve never been a huge fan of running.
I think it’s a kind of self-torture.
But I run because it gives me energy throughout the day and, especially here, it is a way to build relationships with the kids.
Within the past couple of years I have started to run more and more and, over time, I have found the perfect way to breathe so that I don’t get winded quickly.
By breathing through my nose and out my mouth, slowly and steadily, I can run a lot further than if I had continued huffing and puffing.
This month someone told me that doctors and coaches tell their patients and players to breathe in through their nose and out through their mouth because it distracts them from their pain or the distance they have left.
I think we could all take note of this.
If I can feel myself becoming impatient or frustrated I just close my eyes and focus on my breathing.
That focus then shifts from the rhythm of my breathing to the presence of God’s being.
When listening to a sermon by Graham Cooke a couple of months ago he mentioned that he can collect his composure and draw his focus back to God within 10 seconds. He said that it took much practice to be able to become calm within such a short amount of time, but now, it has great benefits.
I would image that Graham’s breathing is a major factor in collecting himself within 10 seconds. I would image that within that time he focuses on matching his rhythm of breath and thought with that of the Holy Spirit.
As I come to the end of the Race I know that many are tired to finish strong. Some have checked out, whether it is in ministry, within their team, or just in their quality time with God.
Verses 26 and 27 in 1 Corinthians 9 are applicable, not only because we are finishing the Race, but also because it is something to practice throughout the duration of life.
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Just like in running, since I think it is not the most enjoyable activity, I make my body my slave and urge it to continue on. I make my breathing consistent so that I can fight a fight worth winning.
With finishing up this Race, I have heard a lot of Well, it’s the end of the Race, so…
Is it really the end of the race though? It’s the end of The World Race, but it’s not the end of our RACE.
Continue with strength, with love, and with endurance.
