“Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” – Genesis 2:7.
When God breathed life into Adam, Adam exhaled the very breath of God. That one breath brought life and sustained it, enabling Adam to become a living creature.
We read in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is breathed out by God . . .” and in Hebrews we learn that “. . . the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The same Lord who breathed life into Adam breathes life to those who read or hear the Word of God. His breath carries the power to transform hearts.
The Power of God’s Word
From these two portions of Scripture, we can know that the Word of God is alive and active because God exhaled it, literally “breathed out by God.” But there is more to understand about His Word’s power. His Word, that which He breathed, has the power to not only birth life in you but also in others as you exhale that which God breathed into you. It has the power to birth life in those to whom you pass on His life-giving Word. This is the power of the Gospel message. It births life. When you share God’s Word through your actions and words, you channel His life-giving love.
Exhaling the Breath of God
But how does one exhale the breath of God to others? What does that even mean? To the point, it is loving others just as He has loved you (see John 13:34). This means showing selfless care that reflects God’s heart. But what does it look like? Let me offer a couple of examples.
I know of three people, now in their early twenties, who have faithfully visited one of three different nursing homes for several years. These three friends gather all of the elderly together to sing the old-time hymns from the hymnal with them. They don’t preach or teach; they invite a guest minister to do that. They just love on them, and this has been their weekly routine every Sunday afternoon for over 10 years now, and these friends continue to do so to this day. This is exhaling the breath of God. They are taking what God has given them and sharing it with others to show His love.
I know of a woman who once had a neighbor, an invalid who was deathly afraid that someone would break into her house at night as she slept. She lived all alone and had no family to take care of her. This woman I know befriended her, visited her, and even baked cookies for her on a regular basis. She baked the love of God into every one of those cookies. It was through her love and compassion that she exhaled the breath of God to this friendless woman. These acts of kindness brought God’s comfort and peace in practical ways.
Spend Yourself in Service Toward Others
Selflessly spending yourself in service toward others is exhaling the breath of God. Note, however, that the focus is not on serving but rather on loving. Serving is a means by which one expresses love. Why is this important? Because one can serve and not love, but one cannot love without the heart of a servant. For example, comforting a grieving friend or helping a struggling colleague reflects God’s love more than service done for recognition.
I urge you to invest what God has given you in the lives of others, and not with little effort. To the same extent that He poured Himself out to you, pour yourself out in love to others. This means giving your time and care without expecting anything in return. Exhaling the breath of God births life. When you share His love, you breathe life into others.
A Life That Births Life
How do you start exhaling the breath of God? Begin each day by asking God to fill you with His heart and show you people to care for. Read scriptures like John 15:12, which says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Let His Word guide your actions. Small acts of kindness, like a warm smile or a helping hand, are powerful when expressed with God’s love.