Hope O2

Have you thought about breathing today? I haven't, until the last few minutes. An adult inhales and exhales, on average, about 23,000 times per day. It could be much, much more, depending upon your level of physical activity and other factors. Think about that. You did something 23,000 times today and probably never once gave a conscious thought to it. 16 times per minute, each and every minute, waking and sleeping, working, playing, running, eating, over and over and over again.

Most of the time we do not think about oxygen. It simply is. It is available. We breathe because we are alive, that's how we roll. Most days, the only time we think about breathing is when we're trying not to. I'm holding my breath while writing this sentence, and in the course of a few short seconds am reminded that, althought I don't usually give it a second thought, oxygen is one of the most important things in my life. (Ahhh, deep breath here...) I need it. I want it. I require it. Sound silly? Hold your breath for a minute or two, then agree with me.

Hope is like oxygen. It breathes life into us. Hope is extremely powerful. Most of the time we don't even acknowledge it or think about it. Hope is what keeps us going. Hope is to the soul and spirit what oxygen is to the body. We need it. We want it. We require it.

Tonight I spent a long time on the phone with a close friend who lives far away. He and his family are walking through some very challenging circumstances. I had a few things to say that may be helpful to him, and some tax advice that will prove practical and useful. But by far the most valuable thing that I believe I shared with my friend was hope. Hope that things will get better, hope that it won't always be like this. He already knows that, and has in fact helped many, many others (including me) in times of need. But when things are dark and you feel all alone, it's like holding your breath under water. You seriously need some O2. My friend seriously needed a deep breath of hope, and I believe he got it. Lord, I pray for Todd, may Holy Spirit-inspired hope bring him strength and new life. And I pray for everyone who may read this. Thank you that the Bible says you have given us a living hope. Hope that is, in and of itself, alive. Hope will grow, it will produce fruit (i.e., results) in our lives.

Heavenly Father, I breathe deeply your living hope. Renew in us the expectation that we will see all your promises fulfilled.