While I Breathe... I Will Trust the Cross

When you woke this morning, did you stretch your arms up with the thought of jumping out of bed to face the day? Or did you sigh and turn over to try to sleep a little longer? Either way, it would have taken a breath or two to move.

We often take our breath for granted – it just happens and is often overlooked until we have reason to be on oxygen to help us breathe. In the past months of the Covid-19 virus many have struggled to breathe and while many were able to recover, so many were not as fortunate.

Several years ago, I heard the term “While I Breathe…. I Will Trust the Cross”. That new phrase, stuck with me and I began to ponder the question, ‘what do I use my breath for?’ My kids and friends would say I use it to talk a lot! But for each breath I take, does it count for loving and serving Christ? Am I thankful for my breath every day or do I just take it for granted? What about you?

I love the Lord with all my heart, yet because I am still human, not every breath I take helps me be God-honoring. I have to work at it as I am certain you do also.

What does the second part of the phrase mean ….. I Will Trust the Cross? To me it means trusting all that the Cross stands for. You might ask, ‘what does that even mean?’ To me it means pain, torture, shame, loneliness, brokenness. It also means that The Cross is the place where Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice for me and for you. Can I trust all that this Cross represents; great love, compassion, mercy and grace given to me and others who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior.

If Christ loved us that much, to sacrifice All for us, can we Trust what was wrapped in the Total Cross? If your answer is YES, then with each breath you take each day, TRUST Him to know what is best for you today and every day in the future. As long as God grants you breath, LOVE Him, have FAITH that the Cross covers it ALL and because of the HOPE found in Jesus you can TRUST Him in every step, every day.

The verse I use most often is Habakkuk 3:19 “The Sovereign Lord is My Strength”. With Him as the center of my life, I don’t have to be strong. My strength will come from Him for any situation I find myself in. My prayer is that you can say the same, even in the pandemic, even in isolation, even in long days and lonely nights, Christ can bring Peace and Joy, where on our own, we might see only despair and fear. Try it, tomorrow when you wake, take that first breath and thank God for it. Then put your feet on the floor and ask God what YOU can do for HIM that day.