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Did you know that most whales don’t die of old age—they die by drowning? Even though they live in the ocean, they have to rise above it to breathe or they’ll perish. It sounds strange, but there’s a powerful spiritual truth hidden in that fact. Find out what we humans and whales have in common in today’s message.
It sounds strange, doesn’t it? These magnificent creatures, so perfectly designed for life in the sea are not fish. They are mammals. And that means they don’t breathe through gills; they breathe air. Every few minutes, a whale must rise to the surface to take a life-giving breath. No matter how deep they swim or how long they dive, if they don’t break the surface and fill their lungs with air, they will die, right there in the world they were made to navigate.
Most of you don’t know my daughter Betsy by name, but you know her by her weekly contribution to the 4th Day Letter. Since the beginning of the 4th Day Letter in 2011, Betsy has been the one who finds and adds the pictures each week after I write the message. Hopefully you have been enjoying her contribution. She recently told me a story comparing whales to humans. Her story inspired today’s message.
So, yes, in a way, we are like whales. Allow me to explain.
We live in this world—fully immersed in it. We grow up here, work here, make families here, enjoy God’s creation, and even worship in buildings made by human hands. But this world, as it is now, is not our ultimate home. We are not fully designed for it. Just like the whale needs to rise above the surface to live, we need to rise above the material world and seek the breath of God to survive spiritually. We need His Spirit. We need His grace. We need His presence to live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Too often, we forget this. We swim deep into our routines, emails, errands, entertainment, endless news and we never come up for air. We hold our breath longer than we should, assuming we’re fine because everything looks okay on the outside. But the truth is, just like whales, if we don’t intentionally rise above the noise and distractions of this world to connect with God, we suffocate spiritually.
Let’s be honest: the pull of the world is strong. Culture pressures us to stay submerged, chasing money, image, success, or comfort. But even good things like family, work, and hobbies can keep us underwater if we don’t intentionally break the surface to breathe in the divine.
The whale doesn’t rise for air once in a lifetime. It surfaces constantly—over and over again—because that’s how it lives. We, too, need constant spiritual surfacing. We were made for communion with God, not occasional check-ins. A weekly Mass, a Sunday service, or a once-a-year retreat is not enough. These are good and vital, but they are not sufficient on their own. Our rhythm of surfacing should include things like prayer, Scripture, silence, worship, Christian friendship, confession, gratitude, and praise.
Jesus modeled this beautifully. Though surrounded by people and ministry, He would often “withdraw to deserted places and pray” (Luke 5:16). Even He, the Son of God, surfaced regularly to breathe in the presence of His Father.
The tragedy is that many of us, like whales, die by drowning. Not physically, but spiritually. We slowly lose connection with the Source of Life. We drift further down into the depths of distraction or despair. And unless something jolts us awake, we never come up again.
But here’s the good news: it’s not too late to surface. Today, right now, we can take a breath. God is not distant. He is near. His Spirit is ready to fill our lungs and renew our soul. All it takes is a turning of the heart, a lifting of the eyes, a quiet moment of surrender.
The world beneath the surface will always be there; but we were never meant to live fully submerged in it. We were made for more. Like the whale, we live in one world but depend on another for life.
So today, we must come up for air and:
- Breathe in His love.
- Breathe in His mercy.
- Breathe in His peace.
- Breathe in His Spirit.
And then, filled and renewed, we can return to our swim, but we won’t be the same. Let’s allow every dive to be guided by the rhythm of surfacing. Let’s allow every moment to be shaped by the breath of God within us. After all, in Him, we don’t just survive, we truly live.
Heavenly Father, from a spiritual perspective, I often try to hold my breath too long. I dive into this earthly world and forget to surface for air. Help me to always remember that it is through Your Son Jesus, that I live and move and have my being. Help me to rhythmically breathe Him in every day. Amen!
P.S. If you enjoyed today’s message and you enjoy the pictures included in each week’s message, let Betsy know in the comment section below.
AMDG
I always love to hear from you. You can email me by clicking here.
Please take a moment to share your thoughts about today’s message below.
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these letters have been such a blessing to me. thank you so much.
God bless!!
Dear Betsy
What a great job you do and thank you for sharing your talent with us. You have given deep thought in how you have presented the pictures and special quotes that have fit into the witness this week. Food for thought for the week is a bonus
Take care
I love the picture! They are lovely! Thanks, Betsy!
Thank you. Glad you enjoy it.
Love this! A great message for ALL ages, and the images are FANTASTIC!! (Well Done, Betsy)
Thank you!
Hi Brian,
I met you a few years ago at Holy Cross Church in Onamia, MN. I have enjoyed you messages since. You are truly a blessing with your spiritual messages. Betsey is very talented and really enhances your messages. God Bless you and your family.
Love this! A great message for ALL ages and the images are FANTASTIC (Well Done, Betsy!!)
Thank you!
Great messages, Great pics. Good job to you and Betsy!!🙏🕊🕊🙏✝️
Thank you!
I have often times wondered in amazement at the photos / art attachments you use. They are so very good at supporting your message.
Great job done by your daughter Betsy !
Thank you so much
Awesome Job Betsy!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Betsy, great job on the photos and illustrations. They fit the theme perfectly!
Thank you and think about the theatre memories all the time! Hope you are doing well.
Tuesday mornings are my favorite. Thanks to you and Betsy, Brian.
Thank you!
“Not to late to surface” – I love that. thanks Brian
Betsy’s illustrations add context to the “flow” of your message…love the application of every day information and its direction toward spiritual opportunity
Thank you. I really try to make them “fit” the letter.
Gorgeous pictures to illustrate and magnify a powerful message that is so important!
Thank you. I really try to emphasize the importance of what is written.
Brian,
Your writing is always a breath of God’s love, thank you.
Betsy , your graphics are spot on, Thank You!
Floyd
Beautiful picture
Thank you!
Thank you so much!
This is truly a case of like Father, like daughter with both your talents. I am blessed to have this spiritual uplift weekly.
Blessings for you both!
If only you knew how spot that comment is on so many levels. Glad you enjoy.
Your message this week is thought provoking. Such an interesting comparison – something to ponder all week !!
Betsy, your graphics always add so much to the weekly messages. Keeps up the good work !!!
Glad you enjoy the graphics. Thank you so much.
Brian,
What a beautiful thought: to be submerged and living in this world but to depend on another one for our life! I had never heard it put that way. It ties in nicely with Baptism as well – when we come up for air, to breathe in the breath, the Spirit of God for the first time! We need to continue that for all of our lives.
I would add to the list of ways to “breach the surface” by reading a weekly inspirational reflection, such as yours!
Thanks to your daughter, Betsy, for the inspiration for this message, and for accenting your thoughts so wonderfully, week after week, with perfectly selected images! I’m not sure how she does it!
Peace!
Bob Davis
Thank you so much. It is definitely with the help of God that I am able to find things so fitting.
I love and the pictures and the articles!
Easy to relate to and I welcome the encouragement. .
Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did, which is why I had to share.