Those that Gasp for Air

I've noticed a certain type of person that gasps for air. They breath normally, but every few minutes they snort, clear their throat, and try to get an extra dose of oxygen. First noticed it in a certain wing of a hospital when a guy walked past me and snorted. I wondered if he was snorting at me for some reason. I didn't think much of it until another person did the same thing. I even noticed doctors gasping for air. Once I became aware of this phenomenon, I began to notice it all over the place.

Studies were done... It wasn't the air quality. It wasn't a problem with the lungs.

More observation... The very young did not gasp, until sometime after they were potty trained. The very old gasped more frequently and often cursed as they gasped. The gasping subsided only when the subjects were in deep REM sleep.

Interviews were done... They described breathing as a unsatisfying and laborious chore. They never enjoyed a deep-cleansing breath, that cool refreshment that feels like a cold, long, drink of water.

Sociologists discovered this breathing pattern in many diverse cultures.

Archeologists say it goes back to the dawn of civilization.

Some people, for whatever reason develop a syndrome where they believe they are not getting enough oxygen. They question the atmosphere's capacity to meet their body's deepest and most fundament need. They doubt the very air they breath.

The doubting becomes self-fulfilling prophecy.

Obviously, none of this is real. It is an alagory for something worse, much worse.

Those that gasp for air represent those that are controlled by fear and doubt. Those that have forgotten about the One who is sufficient for all their needs. Forgotten or never knew, or abandoned.

Certainly life itself is unsatisfying (to anyone with an honest and analytical approach). But there is a solution. There is satisfaction and fullfillment, not in this life, not in something, but in Someone. Our everyday longing for fulfillment, meaning and purpose in life is met in Jesus Christ.

Christ is sufficient for our every need. We can rest in Him, rest deeply. We can breath a deep sigh of relief. Our sins are paid in full. He opens for us a new vibrant relationship with Almighty God. He enters our lives through His Spirit. He fills us. He sustains us. He is the bread of life, the living water.

John 7:

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

II Corinthians 3:

5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,

II Peter 1:

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Go ahead, take a deep breath!