let everything that has breath…

About 5 years ago early on New Year’s Day, I entered the lobby of my apartment building and was greeted by a familiar face: Ms. Angela. She was the overnight security guard at my building and I knew her well since she was always on duty when I arrived home from late-night partying. As I would walk in barely aware of my surroundings, she would always have a huge smile on her face and a story to tell me about what Jesus was doing in her life. 

Ms. Angela would tell me about her former struggles as a drug addict and how Jesus saved her from continuing in that lifestyle. What she didn’t know is that I was in a battle of my own struggling with my faith in Christ and searching high and low for answers. At the time, I resolved that I was agnostic and acknowledged God, but kept Jesus at a distance. 

As I made my way up to her station that night, she didn’t have a story to tell. Instead, she handed me a printout from the devotional she was reading and told me that the Holy Spirit told her to give it to the next person that walked through the door. I smiled and slurred, “well, I guess I was next person…” I thanked Ms. Angela and told her I would read it, then headed up to my apartment.

The next afternoon when I finally awoke, I saw the piece of paper she handed me and opened it up. Though I can’t remember the devotional that accompanied the scripture, I remember it said this: 

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" – Psalm 150 NKJV

There was no way that Ms. Angela could’ve known my battle with the Lord at that time because I would always just listen to her stories, smile, make a surface reply, and head up to my apartment when I would see her. I was actually kind of offended because I felt like she was chastising me by handing my that paper. However, rather than throw it away, I folded it and placed it in a Bible I had received as a gift from friends for my 18th birthday. 

I sat with the Bible in my hands for a while and said this "prayer,”

“Lord, I don’t know exactly what this scripture means or if you’re trying to tell me something. But, if Jesus really is the only way, then you have to show me. ”

A few weeks later, I found myself opening that same Bible and I came across this scripture, 

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” – John 16:7 NLT

In this scripture, Jesus was telling the disciples that He would soon return to heaven, but that He was sending the Holy Spirit (or Advocate, or Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor) to the disciples to dwell within them. 

Immediately, I remembered receiving a baptism of the Holy Spirit when I was 18 evidenced through speaking in a prayer language. I opened my mouth and began to speak in that prayer language not realizing that I had never lost that gift though I never used it. Then I continued reading the following in the open Bible:

“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.” – John 16:8-10 NLT (emphasis added)

I saw myself in verse 9. Here I was with a deposit of God’s faithfulness dwelling within me, yet denying the one who enabled me to receive it in the first place. That moment was a turning point in my faith in Christ and ignited a fire in me that I’d never experienced before. 

5 years later, I sit here reminded of this scripture “let everything that has breath praise the Lord,” not because I’m struggling with my faith, but because my faith is being tested. In the midst of my husband unexpectedly losing his younger brother, my loss of a stable income, the total breakdown of one of our cars, and more in a matter of only 8 weeks, more than once I’ve wanted to open my mouth to complain. However, as long as I have breath, I am compelled to Praise the Lord!

By Ms. Angela handing my that piece of paper years ago, I was being prepared for what I would face today. There is power and breakthrough in our praise. Rather than dwell on the pain, when I focus on God’s goodness, a smile begins to emerge holding fast to the joy of the Lord, which circumstances can’t steal no matter how hard they try!