I remember once reading about an astronaut’s view of Earth from Space...
As he viewed the Earth from his unique vantage point, the astronaut was able to cover the earth with his thumb. In that moment his perspective was changed. This big, glorious planet was covered by his thumb. His view went from “me” to “the universe.” As he took breath, he realized that every breath was purposeful for not just himself, but everyone around him. Sometimes we need a shift in our perspective in order to recognize that our lives are less about the individual and more about the community as a whole.
Everything that I do and say has a consequence for the whole of my community. It is for this reason that I need to think of myself as someone in a constant state of transformation. I have to trust that my breath can be transformative, if I allow it to be.
St. Paul’s breath was transformative breath. He took his experience and allowed it to change the course of life around him; we are still feeling the affects of that choice today.
We so often only grasp a glimpse of a new experience. We may feel that the experience is amazing and it makes us feel renewed or affirmed. But, does it change us in any way? We breathe not to remain the same, but to transform ourselves into who we are in the name of God. If I learn something about myself through moments with a spiritual director or soul friend, does my life change at all because of it? Or, do I fall into the trap of comfortable mediocrity?
What would our experiences in faith be like today if Paul had not allowed his breath to transform his life? If he had said, “I realize the error in my ways and I will spend the rest of days in solitude weeping for the mistakes I have made,” where would those who benefited from Paul’s transformative breath have gone? This is what happens when we think that nothing can change, or that we don’t have purpose in this life.
When we invite breath in and release it with a willingness to change what that breath will do for us in the next moment, that breath becomes nourishment for others. That breath reflects God’s will which is always infectious! Paul was spiritually required to do something with his new breath, and we must do something with our new breath!
As we continue on with our faith journeys, let us hope that each life-giving experience leaves a mark of inspiration that can motivate us forward and be shared with all those who cross our paths.
Until next time, we take a sacred pause...
