Stepping Stones: Are You Gasping For Air?

Transformational Tip
A friend recently asked me what I considered to be my most treasured memories. I was at a loss to answer his question on the spot, but the question haunted me over the following few days. Did I not have any treasured memories? That just couldn’t be. So I began flipping through the photo album of my mind and heart and a collection of my most treasured memories came rushing in. I recalled memories when I felt really special…times where I knew I was loved. I also recalled times of adventure and accomplishment…of adventure and challenge. I then reflected on how far ago those memories were. And all of a sudden I began yearning for that life…to have those moments now and often.
The Bible tells us we are meant to live in a world like that—every day. Just as our lungs are made to breathe oxygen, our souls are designed to flourish in an atmosphere rich in love and meaning, security and significance, intimacy and exploration. But most of us don’t live in that world anymore. Far from it. Though we try to resolve the dilemma by turning to materialism, illicit sex, drugs and addictions, food, excessive business, etc, to fill this desire, it doesn’t work. So we never really get what we need to truly flourish. It is the soul’s equivalent of holding our breath. Eventually, we find ourselves gasping for air.

Today, know that your Lord and God is ready to breathe true life into you. Turn away, today, from just one thing that is choking you, causing you to gasp for air…and turn toward Him that is the giver of the life you were meant to live. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on gasping for air.

Prayer
Dear Father God,
I confess Father that I have been holding my spiritual breath...that I am truly gasping for air. Help me, Lord, to turn away from all things that deprive me of oxygen…that separate me from You. I rejoice in You Father, I find joy in You, the God of my salvation. I pray in the name of the one who died so I might be free to breathe and to flourish, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Ezekiel 37:10
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
Habakkuk 3:17-19