GRIZ BEAR COMMENTS | Illness can remind us of out-of-mind truths

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

There’s just nothing quite like being ill for several days to remind a fellow of the truth that it is indeed God who holds our breath in His hand and not we ourselves. Our lives depend upon Him and not He upon us.

Being down with pneumonia, I find it kind of interesting that the disease name “pneumonia” comes from the ancient Greekword “pneo” which means breath and wind, and the related word “pneuma” which means spirit or wind.

Of course, the disease is a lung infection which, if it progresses, can make the simple act of breathing difficult or impossible. It always amazes me that a virus or bacteria so small we can’t see it can cause so much harm.

Perhaps it’s even more amazing that a God so great, with evidence of His working all around us, can so easily be out of sight and out of mind. We so easily forget that He gave us the breath of life and that He can at any time take it from us.

It is as the Bible teaches: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).

“He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25).

“In [the LORD’s] hand is the soul of every livingthing, and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10)

“If He set his heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath; all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust” (Job 34:14-15).

The God of the Bible gives us the breath of life, He holds that breath of life in His hand, and in His time He takes it from us.

When a person becomes ill and the medicines and treatments don’t seem to be helping - at least not within the expected time frame - the thought of having the breath of life taken away crosses one’s mind.

After all, when one publishes obituaries week after week, it’s hard not to notice how many listed there are younger than I am. Why not me? I can think of no good reason but the grace and mercy of God.

I will admit I asked my father-in-law, who lives back in Kansas, if he knew a good back-hoe operator who could have things ready in case the need arose. He told me I’d have to dig my own hole.

Since I didn’t quite feel up to it, I figured I would rest and pray for recovery instead.

And so, with a new lesson in patience and waiting for God’s timing rather than mine and a reminder of who it is who holds my breath in His hands, I am resting and slowly getting better.

And to be honest with you, I’m happy that it is the same God who gave me life in my mother’s womb, who also gave His Son to die in my stead and redeem me, that holds my breath in His hands.

What better place could my life be!

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by e-mail at rmoll @ nwaonline .com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 09/29/2010