Airplanes are insane! We literally load up a hundred people in a metal tube and rocket it through the sky! Flight is a terrifying concept to me, but when I’m on a plane I treat it like a long, glorified bus ride just like everyone else. As I find my seat and settle in, I’m always perplexed by how many passengers don’t pay attention to the safety demonstration. As if we’re not about to be flung into the sky in a giant tin can! Most of the passengers play on iPads or read the latest bestseller as the flight attendant boringly points to the exit signs and clips and unclips a practice seatbelt. But my ears always perk up when they bring out the oxygen mask.

In each demonstration, on every airline I’ve ever flown with, the attendant says the same thing: “Put on your own oxygen mask first, then help those around you.” It seems contrary to Christian practice. After all, shouldn’t we always put others first? Putting others' needs first is good! But if you pass out while trying to get an oxygen mask on the person next to you, guess what, you’re both gonners. The concept is simple, in order to serve your neighbor, you have to be alive to do so! In spiritual terms, if you want to pour out, you have to have something to pour out. So the heart behind service cannot simply be sacrifice, but an intentionality in the preparation of your ability to serve.

2 Corinthians 1:4 tells us God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” In the same way, we must constantly return to the source of our life if our intention is to share this life with others! We cannot share Jesus with the world around us if we are not first in relationship with Him. We cannot pour out grace, service, mercy, love and hope if we are not filling ourselves with those same things in the presence of God. He is our sustainer, he is our living water and our obligation is to simply drink of what he offers! When we are spiritually full and the opportunity to serve arrives, we are overflowing and ready to pour ourselves out.