Have you ever been in such a state,  such a moment, that someone has said to you – “Ok, let’s to take a deep breath”  Or maybe you’ve said those words to someone, who is stressed or upset or troubled.  A moment when, surprisingly, we need to be reminded to breathe. 

              I was reading about how stress, anxiety and worry can lead us to breathe in too shallow a way.  And then we sigh – our bodies way of telling us to take a deep breath.  Ever been around someone who “sighs” all the time?   It’s all tied to our breath – and our breath, can be tied to what is going on in our lives.  

              Our breath is, of course, needed for  life, but maybe more than we know.  Sometimes life can be stressful and complicated.  It can feel like it won’t let up, and we feel out of breath.  Like we need more of the life-giving sustenance that a deep breath gives us.

              This week we hear the Pentecost story, and we  read about the disciples being a bit out of breath themselves.  They’ve been through a lot over the past 50 days. Jesus was crucified, then he appeared to them again.   Then he ascends to heaven and isn’t there, again.  On this day, they are still probably in the Upper Room behind closed doors.  It’s been a lot.  They are still afraid and unsure about what lies ahead.  But Jesus had told them beforehand –  “don’t worry – a spirit of truth – a helper – God’s spirit, would be with them”.  And not just be with them but live in  them and empower them.  It’s almost like Jesus was saying “take a deep breath!”.

              And so that brings us to the day of  Pentecost.   It was a day when the followers needed a reminder of what Jesus promised them, and they needed a deep  breath of fresh air to restore them.   It was into that shuttered room that a wind blew in  – and they were revived and filled with a new spirit.  Amazing things started happening. And they were reminded, once again, that God was with them, and wasn’t going to leave them. 

              And so this is where it becomes a story not just of what happened in an upper room long ago, it becomes a story for each of us – a story that reminds us that God still works this way- and God can do the same for us.  His Holy Spirit is at work right now, in our lives and in this world.  We just have to receive it and let it fill us.  We just have to recognize it and trust it.  Because its easy to get stuck behind a closed door, trapped in a routine, stopped by fear or blocked by worry.  Sometimes the challenges and the ups and downs of life can feel suffocating.  We can sigh so much we don’t even notice it anymore.   And we need a deep breath of life-giving air.  We need a powerful and holy wind to blow through our lives. What God offers us in the Holy Spirit is needed by us even more that oxygen itself.  The good news is that it is there for us – at work for us – restoring us and empowering us. 

              Like many of the narratives in the Bible, Pentecost is filled with a lot of meanings and truths.  But I think we are asked to hear something in this story, something we need.  As we come upon those times in our lives when we are confused or battered or feel very alone – those times we SO need that deep breath –  let us never forget that God hes promised us a helper, a support and no less the presence of God than Jesus himself.   This is the gift of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost is a day to especially remember what that means for us. 

              Who among us doesn’t need to be reminded of the power of God – the power of God in our lives- the power of God for our lives?  Who among us doesn’t need to breath deeply of God presence and love?  Pentecost reminds us that God is with us.

              We can believe it or not.  We can tap into it or not.  We can decide we need that help and grace – or not.  But what this Spirit does first – and maybe most – is to invite us to is listen – and look – and feel – that holy presence all around us.   It invites us to inhale the very breath of God – the breath of new life.  May that be so for each of us.  Amen.