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Beginning to Flourish - Week One

Administrator February 16, 2025 3 7

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A sudden intake of breath — animated for expressive life

 

Breathing is one of our most vital needs, absolutely essential to life. It powers us through the day and often reveals our emotions. It can be smooth or ragged, deep or shallow, sudden or slow. Breath can be a form of nonverbal communication between people signalling to others how we are doing and what we are thinking. This week we will consider the animating principle of breath that carries us through our days — from hearty laughter to deep sobs, from the gentle sigh of relief to the deep gulps that get us up a massive hill. This Lent we also anticipate the cross and remember the final incredible breath of Jesus, “It is completed.”

Seeds to sow: This week think how you can support individuals and the work of organisations that help people living with chronic illnesses.

 

Read Genesis 2: 7

Breath brings life.

“…and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The man came alive – a living soul!” (The Message) Here and repeatedly through Scripture we are reminded that God is the giver of breath. Life is a gift from God, God breathes on us and we receive that life. We often take our breathing for granted until we are gasping for air. Sometimes we are holding our breath without realising and only notice when we are suddenly breathing again.

Q: What are the things that make you come alive?

Q: What are the activities and experiences that you find encouraging and life-giving?

 

Read Acts 9: 1

Breathing murder!

In the rest of Acts 9 the conversion of Saul is described by Luke. but right at the start we are confronted with Saul “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” Our breath is such a vivid indicator of how we are feeling. It communicates non-verbally but clearly to the world our emotions. We naturally recoil from the ragged murderous breath of Paul here, because we easily recognise it.

Q: What is our prayer today into situations of bullying, oppression, persecution and abuse?

Q: When we see these things happen, how will we respond to bring about justice and bring them to an end?

 

Read Exodus 2: 23-25

God, creator of the universe, takes notice of you.

Q: How often, perhaps without even noticing it, do we use our breath to call out to God in prayer?

God the Creator of the universe has given us breath. In our very breathing we are in daily communion with God. God hears our everyday sighs, snorts and murmurs. Whenever we speak God is there, attentive to our breath. For God’s people in our reading, it was their cries and groaning in slavery.

Q: Isn’t it incredible that God takes notice, not just of what we say — but how we breathe and how we carry ourselves?

God has breathed into you to give you life and God does not waste his breath. God is always part of our communication for our very speech is born on his breath. 

Q: If God already knows all that we are thinking and feeling why do we still take time to pray?

 

Lent Transformation Week 1

The Transforming Breath

Each morning this week spend 5 minutes mindful of your breath, perhaps breathing slowly in and out. As you do this, consider the day ahead and think of all the places and situations your breath is going to take you today. Think of all the words that will be carried on your breath. How can your words bringing about flourishing and new life? You may wish to say a short prayer offering the upcoming day to God.