Barely Breathe by Tim Pickl

“I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 Amplified Bible

Tortuous crucifixion knocks the wind out of me—I can barely breathe; The weight of my body suspended by my arms results in chest pains—such misery. My pectoral muscles are paralyzed; breathing is difficult—my strength wanes.
I can inhale, but to exhale I have to push on my feet and straighten my legs; That action releases the immense pressure pulling on my arms and chest… Oh… but the pain this brings to my nailed feet is excruciating torment;
But as I blink away bloody sweat, I think of you, my friend—every moment.

I feel the weight of all of your sins bearing down on my body like a flood; I know I have to endure the cross and the shame while they shed my blood; While gasping for every breath and suffering such anguish just to exhale again; I AM doing this because my love for you is more than you can comprehend: I AM the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father—Immanuel, God is with you! While I AM fighting for every breath, I AM exhaling my last words of truth: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34  NKJV)

Father, help me to stay near the cross today, and remember how You love me. Amen.

Today’s writer has been a member of FaithWriters since 2006 and once named as a FaithReaders Featured Author. Contact