“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

Every Monday, six months of the year, I bake desserts for upwards of thirty or more people who receive meals from our local Meals on Wheels program.

One woman, who knows where I live, once asked me how this was possible when I have such an incredibly tiny kitchen.

I laughed and explained my technique to her: clean as you go. I put things away as I use them. I keep the counter space that I have as neat and clean as possible every step of the way, for if I didn’t, the clutter would keep me from getting on with the job.

Likewise, God calls us to live uncluttered lives in regard to sin. Many years ago, the technique to make this a reality was explained to me as spiritual breathing. Sin comes between us and God and our ability to hear Him clearly throughout our day — and we all sin, each and every day in so many little ways. It may be a thought sin or a careless word, attitude, or action, the type of sin that we really don’t consider that important, and yet it is to God.

So, how does the technique of spiritual breathing work? It’s quite easy. We breathe out our sin as soon as we realize it, through a moment of confession, and then breathe in God’s forgiveness with thanksgiving. As we learn to do this moment by moment, we keep ourselves uncluttered by anything and everything which may come between ourselves and God to keep us from doing His good and perfect will.

In fact, I have discovered over the years that spiritual breathing has the power to turn an ordinary day into a day of delightful surprises, much like dessert can turn a meal from simply ordinary into something extraordinary. Won’t you join me in this powerful technique?

Prayer: Father God, we ask that through Your Holy Spirit, You will make us aware, moment by moment, of any thoughts, attitudes, or actions which do not line up with Your good and perfect will. May we in turn practice the technique of spiritual breathing: breathing sin out through confession, and breathing forgiveness in with thanksgiving, allowing us always to be in tune with You. In Christ’s name, we ask it. Amen.

Copyright © 2022, by Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Atlin, British Columbia, Canada

Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission