Honi – Sharing Our Breath
By David Chang. Director of Ministry Support
A few weeks ago I was sharing with our Worship Director Roz that when things get busy, my priorities shift. It seems that with so much to do, the first thing I drop is my spiritual disciplines. Along with praying for me, she gave me the perfect gift for this time. It was a book by Madeline L’Engle, “Walking on Water.” Madeline (who also authored “A Wrinkle in Time) shared a thought from a Hawaiian Christian:
Before the missionaries came, my people use to sit outside their temples for a long time meditating and preparing themselves before entering. Then they would virtually creep to the altar to offer their petition and afterwards would again sit a long time outside, this time to “breathe life” into their prayers. The Christians, when they came, just got up, uttered a few sentences, said Amen and were done. For that reason my people called them haoles, “without breath,” or those who failed to breathe life into their prayers. – Mother Alice Kaholusuna
This was me. My spiritual disciplines had become “without breath.” I would pray, read Scripture, meet with my small group. And when it was done, I would hurry back to my to-do list. I did not breathe life into prayer, Scripture reading, and small group.
So I did a word-search on “breath” in the Bible. I was surprised to see so many references. Here are the ones that spoke directly to me:
“How can my Lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” (Daniel 10:17 ESV)
That’s me. Feels like after I sprint to the top of a hill, trying to breathe.
“Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (Genesis 2:7 ESV)
God didn’t just form me with His hands, He breathed His breath into me. Only then did I become alive.
“Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 10:22 MSG)
It was not only the Heavenly Father who breathes on me, Jesus also desires to breathe on me that I might receive the Holy Spirit.
Someone reminded me of the traditional Hawaiian greeting called “honi.” It is walking up to someone, slowing down, stopping in front of them, touching foreheads, touching noses, breathing together. Sharing our breath.
I think that’s what the Holy Spirit is inviting me to do in this busy season. I need to “honi” my Heavenly Father. I need to come to God. I need to slow down. I need to stop. I need to sense my Heavenly Father bending down, to touch His forehead to mine. I need to feel His nose touching mine. I need to feel His breath.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am breathless. I come to “honi” You. Fill me with Your breath that I may live. Lord Jesus, I come to “honi” You. Fill me with Your breath that I may receive Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Share this with a friend: