4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.ReflectionsWritten by Vincent ChanI read the other day about a famous ex-cricketer who died suddenly. One moment he was commentating on cricket, the next he suffered a heart attack and he was pronounced dead at the age of 59. I find events like that shocking: one instant someone is planning their life as normal, the next it is gone. There is something very depressing in knowing that at any time, your very life can be taken away. Life can feel futile and uncontrolled.But these verses in Genesis paint a very different picture. In these verses we see a creation that is brimming with life. And more importantly, it describes God as the one who gives life. The shrub cannot grow until God brings the rain to nourish it and allow it to blossom. The plant cannot spring up until God brings streams to drench the ground and quench its thirst. And people are nothing but dust until God gives us breath. With a single breath we die – but with a single breath from God, we live! How amazing is God!That is why as Christians, we ought to live our lives very differently from those who don’t know God and have no hope. Like the rest, we make plans and we think about the future, but we do so aware that all things are in God’s wise and sovereign hands. We recognise that all that we have is a gift from God – even each breath that we breathe right now. I must confess, I am prone to forget that I am dependent on God for literally everything. However, when I do remember the truth that I am completely dependent on him, it fills me with joy that I can call God my heavenly Father through Christ.Let me finish with a prayer from the Anglican prayer book, which helpful captures this point:Most merciful Father, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed on us. For life and health and safety, for power to work and leisure to rest, and for all that is beautiful in creation and in the lives of men, we praise and glorify your holy name. But, above all, we thank you for your spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus our Lord, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.QuestionHow long can you hold your breath for? As you breathe – or as you hold your breath – remember that God gives us life.About the AuthorVincent is an Assistant Minister with our Fairfield congregations.