Here’s something to think about …
There was a moment when Moses had the nerve to ask God what His name is. God was gracious enough to answer, and the name He gave is recorded in the original Hebrew as YHWH. In order to pronounce we added the vowels A and an E in there to get YAHWEH, presumably because we have a preference for vowels but scholars and rabbis have noted that the letters YHWH represent breathing sounds or aspirated consonants. When pronounced without intervening vowels, it actually sounds like breathing.
YH (inhale) WH (exhale).
So a baby’s first cry, his first breath, speaks the name of God. The deep sigh calls His name — or a groan or gasp that is too heavy for mere words. Even an atheist would speak His name, unaware that their very breath is giving constant acknowledgment to God. Likewise, a person leaves this earth with their last breath, when God’s name is no longer filling their lungs.
So when I can’t utter anything else is my cry calling out His name? Being alive means I speak His name constantly, so is it heard the loudest when I’m the quietest? In sadness, we breathe heavy sighs, in our joys, our lungs feel almost like they will burst. In fear, we hold our breath and have to be told to breathe slowly to help us calm down. When we’re about to do something hard, we take a deep breath to find our courage.
When you think about it, breathing is giving Him praise. Even in the hardest moments! This is so beautiful. “God chose to give Himself a name that we can’t help but speak every moment we’re alive. All of us, always, everywhere. Walking, sleeping, breathing, have the name of God on our lips.” — Author unknown
At the funeral of a friend, the deceased’s son gave me the following note as it relates to the Bible. His dad had given it to him when my friend was just a little boy. In his dad’s own handwriting the note said:
“Son, you have in your hands, the greatest book ever written, the most amazing book in all the world, the only place in all humanity, in all human history, where you are given the bedrock, undiluted truth about life. The word of God gives you the insights of God into life, the explanation of who you are, what God intended you to be, and what will fulfill you. No book is more important to learn, to feed upon, then the word of God. It tells you what, and where humanity ran off the tracks, and it explains clearly how to get back on the right track. Keep holding it, it’s a big book, it takes a lot of reading, a lot of studying, a lot of thinking and meditating to grasp what it says, but when you do, it will change your life; it will lead you into fullness, freedom, liberty and beauty. That is what the Bible is. This word is tremendous and significant and important.”
Until next time — have a great day!
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Kevin Cernek is senior pastor of Martintown Community Church.
