Every Breath

 

Sanibel Island sunset today

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!" (Psalm 150:6)

My dear friend, Cuba, texted this today (author unknown):

"There was a moment when Moses had asked God what His name is. God was gracious enough to answer, and the name He gave is recorded in the original Hebrew as YHWH. Over time, we've added an "a" and an "e" in there to get YaHWeH . . . Scholars and rabbis  have noted that the letters YHWH represent breathing sounds, or aspiration consonants. When pronounced without vowels, it actually sounds like breathing. YH (inhale) WH (exhale).

So, a baby's first cry, his first breath, speaks the name of God. A deep sigh calls His name — or a groan or gasp that is too heavy for mere words. Even an atheist speaks His name unaware that their very breathe is giving constant acknowledgment to God. Likewise, a person leaves this earth with their last breath, when God's name is no longer filing their lungs.

So, when I can't utter anything else, is my cry calling out His name? Being alive means I speak His name constantly. Is it heard the loudest when I am the quietest?

In sadness, we breathe heavy sighs. In joy, our lungs feel almost like they will burst. In fear, we hold our breath and have to be told to breathe slowly to help us calm down. When we're about to do something hard, we take a deep breath to find our courage.

When I think about it, breathing is giving Him praise. Even in the hardest moments! This is so beautiful and fills me with emotion every time I grasp the thought. 

God chose to give Himself a name that we can't help but speak every moment we're alive. All of us, always, everywhere. Waking, sleeping, breathing, with the name of God on our lips!"

Selah.