Finding a rhythm: exhale

Pamela Kennedy February 14, 2024 1 3

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Matthew 4: 8-10 (NRSVA)

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; 9 and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10 Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

“Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.”’

A wonderful, wise counsellor once taught me the art of the exhale: I hear you, but I will not partner with you. Away from me, Satan! I breathe in that which will nourish, sustain, enable, and I breathe out the toxins, the air stripped of oxygen. The swimmer breathes out, bubbling breath, and moves on. To exhale always makes room for fresh inhale.

Yet this too is a truth: a breath in its fullness must both draw in and release. Prayer in all its fullness is dynamic, relational, breathing in Word and breathing out response. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. With each complete breath the prayer changes, deep calling out to deep and drawing us deeper still. This exhale of mine matters.

Prayer:

Breath of God, Ruach, mighty Wind,

Breathe in to me that I might breathe out

My love in response to Yours

All that is not of You

All that weighs heavy

Knowing that You delight in the process

And that You hear me, and know, and see.

Enable me to discern Your will for the swim

Even in the face of that which might seem good

Or valuable, or victorious

To remember that true victory is only

In the One whose power

Is seen in weakness

Humility

Death

To life!

Amen