Fashioned with the fingertips of the One created all, Adam's lifeless body lay in the dust. It is the last day of creation and everything else is complete -- but God isn't finished yet. God decides to make man. A being distinct from all other creation, this creature is special. He is formed in the triune image of God, with body, soul, and spirit. He reflects God's own nature, with unique thoughts, emotions, and visions. And as the handiwork of the ultimate Creator, he has so much potential... yet he lay inanimate.
Then, in a moment, God breathes life into his nostrils and the creature comes alive (Genesis 2:7). His heart begins to beat, blood pulsing through his veins; his eyes begin to open, capturing the scenery around him; his lungs begin to expand, one breath after another... He is glorious. He is alive. He is human.
Have you ever stopped to appreciate the air you breathe? Think about it for a second: you live moment to moment, entirely dependent upon something you can't even see. If oxygen ceased to exist so would you... Can you believe that?! It's amazing to think that the essence of life is tied to something we take for granted every day (Job 33:4).
I love the way Genesis 2:7 portrays this miracle of life being breathed into something inert because it paints a beautiful image of our dependence upon God, our intimate connection to Him, and the transference of life that established humanity in the Garden of Eden.
Dependence upon God
There is something to be said about the fact that the air we are so dependent upon comes from God Himself, as illustrated in the making of man. I believe our physical dependence upon oxygen is an is an illustration of our spiritual dependence upon God. Without Him, life is impossible (James 2:26). And every time you breathe, your spirit echoes this truth: apart from God, we are lifeless, utterly devoid of meaning or significance.
Connection to God
Seeing as we received a spirit from God, we are connected to Him via our spirits. John 15:5 uses a great analogy to explain this interconnectedness to the Creator, stating that God is a Vine and we are the branches. "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (emphasis added). God wants to know you. He wants to be as close to you as your very breath. Inhaled, exhaled; familiar, steadfast -- God is near. He beckons you to draw near to Him, too (James 4:8).
Life from God
God is able to endow humanity with life because He is Life. And the beauty of our purpose on earth is discovering that life is not meant to be lived apart from Him. The Bible teaches us that ultimately, we are temporary beings (James 4:14). There is no escaping the reality of death (Hebrews 9:27). However, God, who gave us life, gives us the hope for eternal life after death (this hope is guaranteed through salvation in Jesus Christ: Ephesians 1:13-14). His breath in us is an indication that life is a gift from Him -- and we should use our lives to honor Him.
"The breath of life is divine grace of God." - Lailah Gifty Akita
It is no coincidence that you are here, alive, breathing. Take a moment today to appreciate life and acknowledge the one who gave it to you. Live fully, and live well.
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