Are You Breathing but Don't Feel Alive?

Are You Breathing But Don't Feel Alive?

By David Brenneman 

Saw that line in a song at Church today.  Made me think about how hurried people are these days.  Many have so much packed into their lives that even their electronic scheduler wants to take time off.  

Some can't even just go visit with someone on a whim because the person or people they want to visit with don't have the time.  Such a stark contrast to several decades ago.  

It reminds me of the song referenced a few days ago. "Breathe" by Jonny Diaz.

When did we let so much of the world dictate so much of our lives?  

Why are we continuing to allow it to happen?

"Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor

It's off to the races everybody out the door
I'm feeling like I'm falling behind, it's a crazy life

Ninety miles an hour going fast as I can
Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand
So much to do in so little time, it's a crazy life
It's ready, set, go it's another wild day
When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel you say just

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe

Third cup of joe just to get me through the day
Want to make the most of time but I feel it slip away
I wonder if there's something more to this crazy life
I'm busy, busy, busy, and it's no surprise to see
That I only have time for me, me, me
There's gotta be something more to this crazy life
I'm hanging on tight to another wild day
When it starts to fall apart in my heart I hear you say just

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need

Is to take it in, fill your lungs
The peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe (just breathe)
let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what's good and find what's best
Just breathe (just breathe)

Just breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
Just breathe" 

The other song that this post is titled from is "Glorious Day" by Passion Conferences.  

"… I was buried beneath my shame

Who could carry that kind of weight?
It was my tomb
'Til I met You

… I was breathing, but not alive
All my failures I tried to hide
It was my tomb
'Til I met You

… You called my name
Then I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day
You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day

… Now Your mercy has saved my soul
Now Your freedom is all that I know
The old made new
Jesus, when I met You, whoa, what a day

… When you called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day
You called my name
Then I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day

… I needed rescue
My sin was heavy
But chains break at the weight of Your glory
I needed shelter
I was an orphan
But You call me a citizen of Heaven
When I was broken
You were my healing
Now Your love is the air that I'm breathing
I have a future
My eyes are open

… 'Cause when you called my name
I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day
You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day"

Since when can't we put the brakes on life?  Since when can't we tell the world "enough is enough!"

The story of Mary and Martha keeps ringing true upon every generation.  One chose the right and good thing and it would not be taken from her.  

We always have choices to include people in our lives.  We also have that choice to stop life and get away to be with Jesus.  Just as Jesus stopped life to get away to be with His Father. 

Why do we allow life to take our breath away for all the wrong reasons?

Just because you're breathing it doesn't mean that you are alive.  If you aren't living out your faith in the way that the Spirit intended for you to be doing then you aren't living...you are just too busy.  Busy with things that do not matter in light of eternity. 

It very well could be that you have a friend in need and you're too busy to notice. 

It very well could be that someone you are thinking you are close to is considering suicide.  How would that hit you?  

Slow down!  Start clearing your busy life and start reconnecting with the people God granted to be in your life.  You were born in this time in world history for a specific reason. 

We are supposed to be the body of Christ, those who are in Christ Jesus, yet this body’s so dysfunctional that for certain the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing or needs help doing. We have too much of this world infiltrating our walk with God. 

The foot of the cross.  When was the last time that you considered going back there?

When was the last time you honestly missed having time with Jesus?  Have you ever missed having time with Him?  

We were warned in the Scriptures of what the world would try to do to those in the body of Christ and its happened.  

I am an introvert which means interpersonal relationships aren't as cut and dry as it is for some people.  It's complicated for people like me.  When I do get into being around others and am relaxed enough its a wonderful thing for me.  So often these days it seems that everyone is too busy to keep in touch.  

One key thing about moving has been rediscovering me.  It's been my learning how to breathe again. Learning how to live life again.  A non-hurried life.  A life that's enjoying the company of people.  It's been a long hard road to get there for me. Some days there are setbacks.  I just don't handle stress like I used to.  Sometimes anxiety finds me faster than I know what to do with it.  

Regardless of what it is or where I am I can and do pray.  People often are always too unavailable these days but My Savior is always ready to talk with me. 

Think about your life and all that you are trying to pack into it.  Are you living out what God's wanting you to or are you being pulled under the water by the world gasping for air?

I am so grateful for the group that I meet with on Saturday mornings.  They've no idea what kind of a lifeline they are in my life.  God's wanting us to develop good relationships but we have to be open and available to do so.