ROOM TO BREATHE

The original article was featured on BREATHING ROOM. (http://pilgrimstranger39.wordpress.com/?s=Breathing+Room/)

The highlighted response below was sent by a friend.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Phil. 4:11-13).
When we think of “room to breathe” we could contrast the crowded to open places for the purpose of remembering to be content in whatsoever state we are, whether rich or poor, in a beautiful place or a vile one. How could Joseph survive alone in a dungeon? He focused on the work God gave him to do. How could David keep his sanity living in dank, eerie caves, separated from God’s people? He looked for opportunities to do his Lord’s work, and thrived.

But we would be wise to acknowledge that certain situations are indeed a burden. Poverty or poor physical conditions such as overcrowding are just plain hard. They are a burden.
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: (2 Cor. 8:13-14).

The great people of Scripture often did not have an easy situation. Far from it. Circumstances may have been stressful and depressing, but we see they found the ability to survive by their faith, and probably hoped that the “tightness” was temporary, if not in this life, at least in the next. For we are saved by hope.) Because they were willing to endure the hardship of such conditions, God was pleased with them, and strengthened them to be able to endure it. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16).

However, even in good situations such when David likely had space and beauty around him while caring for his father’s sheep, we see through the Psalms just what his focus was, and it wasn’t a love nature itself; it was God! We can understand that either great misery or great prosperity can provide temptation. And we should seek out ways to be content in the state that God sees best for us, and pray for protection from temptation: “Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” (Prov. 30:7-9).

Beyond contentment, we can use our situations to begin to SEE differently. Despite the way the world tries to cover up all signs of a Creator and surround themselves in pleasure, whether with majestic nature or endless neon lights, noise pollution, and technology. Despite the way people in the world turn a blind eye to what God has done for them, we learn to observe and consider His work. We see more than the electric glitz or breathtaking sunset; we see beyond the churning market or secluded waterfall. We must LOOK for and SEE and APPRECIATE the works of God, yes, in his physical creation, but especially His spiritual work among people and nations. If we seek Him, he is not far from every one of us (Acts 17:31). See also Rom. 1:18-21 and Psa. 107:1-43.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard (Psa. 19:1-3).
4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

(Psa. 33:4-15).
1 A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God (Psa. 50:1-23).
This appreciation of the work of God is not to be confused with worshipping and serving the creation along side the Creator. We need to appreciate the Creator, not love the creation itself. Job speaks of such things when he is arguing with the friends who accused him of being wicked.
26 If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;
27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:
28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above (Job 31:26-28).

Some people worship nature itself under the guise of appreciating God’s work (1 John 2:15-17). Abraham was not guilty of this (Heb. 11:10) nor were the other faithful listed in Hebrews 11:13-16.

When we consider our physical choice of where we would like best to be in the earth, what should direct our inclinations? At first, if viewed alone, the scripture below seems to indicate it is not best to live in a crowded place. “Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!” (Isa. 5:8).

If we consider the lives of Abraham and Lot, we can see that sometimes it is indeed best to steer clear of certain places. Though righteous, at the time he and Abraham parted ways, Lot still lacked a certain understanding and wisdom that Abraham possessed, allowing the physical beauty of a area to direct his choice of home. Perhaps he may have preferred the convenience or security of a thriving metropolis, only to lose his family to its abject depravity. Then, when physically pulled from it and commanded to run to a mountain, he begged to live in a town instead–“only a little one” (Gen. 19:16-20). This shows a pitfall which can easily entrap us into: dependence upon men and certain situations rather than God. By faith we know that a town is no more “safe” a place than a wild desert, so long as God is with you.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me (Psa. 139:9-11).

Sometimes perhaps, if the population of a place is wicked, living alone in the world might well be a better solution than living in a populated area. We need to consider that and relocate if necessary. Evil communications corrupt good manners. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, etc.

However, beyond that, we need to consider the purpose of God for our lives. In Isaiah, we see the hearts of the people who were responsible for “joining house to house, and laying field to field” so that there was no place to go to be alone in the earth. From the entire passage in Isaiah 5 we see that their focus was on having as much pleasure as possible, while their thoughts were far away from God (Isa. 5:1-6). Whether we live in a wide place or a city, our attitude about why we are on the earth or what our job is in this life is paramount. Isaiah 5:7-14 addresses this idea:

7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!
9 In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.
10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.
11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Parallel passages may be found in Job 21:7-15 and Psalm 10:3-6.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? (Job 21:7-15).

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity (Psa. 10:3-6)

If we read the entire passage in Isaiah, verse 8 seems to indicate that God desires something in his people other than a simple appreciation for nature or solitude; it draws our focus to an entirely different line of thought—spiritual instead of physical, of course. He starts the chapter by noting that he had equipped the Israelites with plenty, all they needed to produce good (spiritual) fruit for Him, but that they had produced inedible fruit instead. What type of fruit had he hoped for? Judgment and righteousness! What had he gotten instead? Oppression and a cry, a vine that was focused on its own prosperity and pleasure, and not the purpose for which it was planted! How was the vineyard of the Lord doing this? They were selfishly using the gifts of God for their own purposes instead of realizing that the beautiful situation God had provided for them was IN ORDER that they would be a FRUITFUL vine, to bear fruit FOR the Owner, not themselves. Hosea 10:1—Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself. Ephesians 2:10—We also are created unto good works.

Our choice of living situation should have nothing whatsoever to do with its beauty or convenience for ourselves. Rather, our choices should be made considering the purpose of God for our lives, and that we are merely stewards of what blessings God has given us: Are we using our situations and abilities for Him, choosing the ways that we will be able to best accomplish His work? Or are we using our Master’s goods for our own purposes and pleasure? See Luke 12:42-48.

How best can we do HIS work? What IS His work? (Rom. 8:28-29). It is that Christ’s heart should be formed in each of us (1 John 3:7-8; Matt. 5:43-48). “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:20-21). In order to have Christ’s heart formed in us, we must learn to humble ourselves to obey, and learn to love the brethren, and our enemies, etc. How can we do this without having any contact with them (1 John 3:9-20)?

Isn’t part of God’s will also to draw all men unto himself? Is it not a work in the hearts among His people, and in Christ’s Church? Shouldn’t it be that the Church that Christ purchased with his own blood would be the special focus our efforts? (1 Cor. 14:12; 2 Cor. 11:28; Col. 1:28-29; Eph. 3:8-11). Notice in Ephesians 3:11 that it is “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Continuing on to Acts 20:22-28, notice particularly verse 24 and 28.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:22-28).

Notice how MANY of the early Christians tailored their lives around preaching the gospel and edifying the Church, not the other way around (Acts 15:35-36; Acts 15:40-41; Rom 16:1-5). Does this indicate that we need to separate ourselves into a secluded community of Christians ONLY (1Cor 5:8-10)? God does not want us to go out of the world at large, but to be very much spiritually separated (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Our primary focus should be to love and serve God’s people, but as we have opportunity, we should also do good to all men (Gal. 6:2-10).

Our life should be about the purpose of God: What does God want for His Creation (2 Pet. 3:9; Luke 2:46-49; Mark 3:31-35; John 4:34 -37; Acts 17:26-27; Col. 1:24-29; 1 Tim. 4:12-16)? What should be the focus of our lives (Rom. 12:1-15)? So many other scriptures would fit here, but it is easy to see that our main focus in life should be to accomplish the will of God in our own heart, and in the hearts and minds of others. How can I be used best? Whether we live in a crowded city or a rural community, is our focus on being with people that we can influence for good? Or is it on our own lives, and what will make us happiest (Mal. 2:4-7; 2 Tim. 4:10; Rev. 3:14-19)?

So what if I HAVE given up everything, including a pleasant living situation, in order to fulfill the purpose of God? See Mark 10:28-30 and Luke 12:48.

–Beth Johnson