Setting the Stage

He shall call upon me and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

~ Psalms 91:15 ~

OH GOD! DON’T LET ME DIE, BUT LET ME LIVE FOR THY PURPOSE!

I pleaded my cause to God out of desperation. It was by far the darkest moment of my life. Fear was upon me. Blackness all around me. Hopelessness consumed me while the defiling power of death confronted me. I was desperate for life, desperate for faith, and desperate for a single breath. Finally, I was truly desperate for God!

My broken body was helpless and in total submission to death. The emergency team raced against time to rescue me from the metal grave that held me in a vise. This was a place of complete surrender. The demand was made for my life, and I was not in a position to argue my faith.

Death was victorious over the life of the driver in the Suburban truck, on the impact of this wreck. Continued efforts were made for the redemption of my natural life for what seemed to be an eternity but indeed was approximately an hour. My lifeless body emerged! Death had failed in his attempt to claim my soul. Hidden within death’s failure were treasures of life’s best-kept secrets and the truth that humans need to know.

The reality of death reveals the futility of life’s ambitions. The care, concerns, and attention that is given to this world are hindrances in a relationship with God. The big picture and real purpose for human existence becomes overwhelming and confusing. Ultimately, the entirety of life is lived in complete ignorance towards God and His purpose for which we were created.

During this encounter, in the valley of the shadows of death, I became fully aware of the disturbing facts of life. Sadly, and more often than not, the discovery of life’s truth may come much too late to benefit from its wisdom.

The truth of the matter is this: When strength fails, intellect diminishes. When free-will is gone, choices are no longer available.

̽ Family was helpless.

̽ Life-long achievements are useless.

̽ Titles earned were powerless.

̽ Opinions [including my own] irrelevant.

My identity in Christ, however, was the only thing in question! In a deadly situation, when desperation can be seen, I finally understood that essentials are unseen. In times of trouble, all I had was a prayer. Who I needed was my savior. The life God gave me is for a purpose. The only thing that mattered was God’s will in this disaster.

After the rescue from the scene of the tragic accident, I was flight lifted to Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. I remained unconscious for several weeks. The answer to my prayer came the moment I awoke. Audibly, the Holy Spirit spoke, “And now, I want you to write a book entitled The Breath of Purpose.”

Come with me on this spirit-led journey. Gain insight on your purpose and an understanding of breath. Desensitize your flesh and discover for yourself. Awareness of our existence obscures spiritual wisdom. Death reveals your purpose in the unconsciousness of one’s soul.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

~ Romans 8: 12-14 ~