Ruach Elohim – The Breath of God

This morning I started my day in my garden, with my breakfast, a cup of tea, my journal and Bible!

The quiet of the garden in the early – ish morning is something very special – just the birds singing, bees enjoying the spring flowers and the distant sound of the waves on the beach. And the gentle whisper of a breeze – like the gentle whisper of the breath of God.

With the sweet scent of early roses mixed with the late flowering jasmine hovering over me, I read the following verses:

Genesis 1 vs 1 – 3: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.

Then in my journal I wrote the following:

Ruach Elohim – the Breath of God.

The Breath of God that created light and beauty out of nothing at the very beginning, is the same Breath of God that hovers over the world today – bringing light to the darkness, beauty out of chaos, creating life where it seems there is only death and destruction, breathing hope, redemption and peace over this hurting world.

It is the same breath of God that hovers over our lives – over us, His beloved children. That breathes life into our world-weary souls, grace and hope and light into the dark corners of our hearts, that whispers into our spirits “Don’t give up – I love you, you are mine.”

And it is the same breath of God that hovers over our prayers and lifts them up to the very throne-room of God – that causes heaven to move, mountains to crumble, walls to break down, lives to be changed – all through the cries and prayers of His people – through my prayers and yours. He hears, He knows, He works when His people pray.

Oh Breath of God – Ruach Elohim – Breathe on us your breath life, restore our hope, renew our strength, revitalise our prayers – Breathe on this hurting world around us, create light where there is only dark chaos. Hover over this world, breathe your healing redemptive grace into people’s hearts – breathe your new creation into beautiful life, mingled with the sweet scent of your endless love.

Breathe oh breathe, breath of God, Ruach Elohim.

Why not make a cup of your favourite brew, find a quiet space in your garden and stop to breathe – not only the sweet air around you, but breathe in the Breath of Life that hovers over you, and is closer to you that the air that you breathe.