Sunday, June 8, 2014

The Breath of God Within Us (Nouwen)


The Breath of God Within Us

When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us.  The Greek word for ‘spirit’ is pneuma, which means ‘breath.’  We are seldom aware of our breathing.  It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.

The Spirit of God is like our breath.  God’s spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves.  We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a ‘spiritual life.’  It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy.  It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy.  Let us always pray:  ‘Come, Holy Spirit, come.’
--Henri Nouwen

1 comment:

  1. Hi- I am working on a web site about speaking the Bible from cover to cover and would like to use this beautiful painting of the the Breath for a page title Why Aloud? How can I get permission to use thus picture?

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