The Latin phrase Dum Spiro Spero means "While I Breathe I Hope." It's taken from the seal of the great state of South Carolina. On the right side of the seal, there is a picture of a woman walking over a shore covered in swords and daggers. The woman represents hope and the overcoming of danger. The sunrise in the background symbolizes a new day for South Carolina.
This reminds me of Ephesians 6, where Paul tells the Christian to put on the whole armor of God. In verse 16, we're told of Satan's flaming darts that are hurled against us. But we will overcome by the Spirit who works within us. In fact, the Latin word spiro, which means "breathe," looks an awful lot like our English word "Spirit." As believer's we now walk on a shore covered with swords and daggers, but one day we will walk on a shore that knows no sin or sorrow. In the words of Samuel Stenett,
"No chilling wind nor poisonous breath can reach that healthful shore; Sickness and sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no more."
While we breathe we hope!
