Breath of Heaven

“I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
Galatians 2:20 (NIV) 

Chris Eaton’s song ‘Breath of Heaven’ tells the story of the Nativity from Mary’s perspective, portraying her as a frightened young girl, attempting to deal with the circumstances of giving birth to the Son of God. In her vulnerability and despite her human doubts, Mary’s faith in the goodness and mercy of God remain and help her deal with this unique situation. Some of Eaton’s words placed on Mary’s lips are:
I have travelled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done
Holy father you have come
And chosen me now to carry your son
I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now…
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong…
Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me 

Understandably Mary found it hard to believe that she was carrying the Son of God. No one was more surprised by this miracle than she was (Luke 1:34), and no one more passive than she was. God did everything. She could do nothing to assist God in the process except to offer no resistance (verse 38). In the words of the song she offered ‘all I am’ and trusted in the Breath of Heaven to hold her together.

Incredibly, like Mary, Christians are indwelt by Christ. Unfortunately, unlike Mary, we often think we can assist God by helping him in the process of salvation, or we resist the work he wants to do in our lives. Yet when we assist or resist, we miss God’s grace working in our lives. We forget that it is no longer I, but Christ in me. To be pregnant with the Son of God is a miracle, but to have Christ living inside of us is also a miracle; yet it is a miracle that may sound daunting. Like Mary we can all have the insecurity of feeling that the task we’ve been given in life is something we’re not equipped for and that maybe a wiser one should take our place. If so, follow Mary’s example and offer all that you are to God; he will hold you together. Mary was highly favoured to carry the Son of God and was told by the angel that the Lord is with her (Luke 1:28). We too are highly favoured to have Jesus living in us. So don’t be afraid of the journey ahead, we have found favour (grace) with God (cf. verse 30) and he will be forever near us as he works out his plan.

Prayer
Father, thank you for your grace and favour, may we surrender all to you.
Amen

Study by Barry Robinson

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About the Author:
Barry Robinson is an Elder in and pastoral worker in the Greater London area, particularly the Camberwell and North London congregations of the Grace Communion International.

Local Congregation:
Grace Communion International Central London
Indian YMCA
Mahatma Gandhi Hall
41 Fitzroy Square
LONDON
W1T 6AQ

Meeting Time:
Saturday 2:30pm

Local Congregational Contact:
Barry Robinson
Email:   london@gracecom.church