Put Your Mask On First

I may be quite different from most people when it comes to flying – I love to sleep on a plane. Most of the time, after taking my seat and getting everyone else in my row situated, I am out. Recently on a long flight, Donna and I were fortunate to be upgraded to first class. Whereas it was nice to have the perks that go with that upgrade, it cramped my style because I felt I needed to stay awake to enjoy the benefits! I think the next time that happens, I will just let someone else have the extra snacks – I prefer the nap! 
 
During the times I have been awake for the obligatory flight safety instructions, something the flight attendant always says gets my attention. It goes something like this, “In the unlikely event of the sudden loss of cabin pressure, a mask will drop from the compartment above your seat. Place the mask over your nose and mouth and breathe normally. If someone beside you needs assistance with their mask, place your mask on first before offering assistance.”  The reason for putting my mask on first before helping my neighbor is obvious – if I lose consciousness because of the lack of oxygen, I will not be able to assist anyone! 
 
These instructions always seem in complete contradiction to what I have been taught all my life.  I was raised to put others first. In ministry, I have accepted the fact that my agenda and plans are always subject to those I serve. The “I am third” campaign – God, others, myself – has become my life philosophy. But, I am starting to rethink this idea. Could it be there are times when myself needs to move up in the chain? Could my service to God and others be improved if I took better care of myself? 
 
The pressures of this age are real. We are living in a time of frail leaders, weary caregivers, and friends and family who have absolutely gone as far as they can. Despite these realities, we keep taking on more because we know there is more to take on. Our attitude is “if we don’t do it, who’s going to do it?” or “I can’t stop because they are depending on me.” These attitudes may be noble, but they are also leading us down a path that may not end well. It may be time to put our mask on first before helping others with theirs. 
 
Now before you stop reading and call me a heretic, I am not implying we place ourselves in the position of God who, alone, will always be supreme and worthy of all our worship.  I am not even insinuating we become self-centered and ignore the needs of others. What I am saying is if we do not take better care of ourselves our effectiveness and impact will be sorely limited. The good we could do will be replaced by mediocrity if that. Progress will be stymied by a cruise-control lifestyle. Burnout will become more than a catchphrase; it will become our identity. We must not let this happen. 
 
The publishing industry has made a large profit from self-help books – many of which are actually helpful, while many are nothing more than humanistic propaganda. Celebrity psychologists frequent the airwaves and social media world offering their advice – sometimes for a minimal fee. Most of us have a friend or two who will gladly tell us what they would do if they were in our situation. I sure do not want to be listed in any of these categories – but since this is my blog – I would like to offer four simple ideas I believe will keep us in the game and allow us to be a blessing to others for time to come. 
 
1.  Take in the nourishment you need. Intentional feeding of our spirit, soul, and body is necessary for our total health. Each part of us has requirements that must be met if we are to function at our maximum potential. Ignoring any part of our triune being will place us in the danger zone and limit our ability to effectively serve God and others. 
 
Our body must be given nutritious food, exercise, and rest. Our soul must spend time in communion with God through His Word and in prayer and meditation. My spirit needs connection, security, and knowledge gained through experiences and opportunities in life. This incomplete list is a good start in providing the nourishment one must have to be healthy. 
 
2. Practice listening to and walking in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a faithful friend who desires to be actively involved in your life. He wants to lead you on a good path and take you to a wonderful outcome. Never underestimate His ability to walk you through difficult places, provide counsel when it is most needed, and empower you to overcome any and every obstacle you face. 
 
The key to this blessing is leaning on Him. It is not the “in and out” or “every now and then” follower that will experience the awesomeness of the Holy Spirit, but the one who fully surrenders to Him. This is not something that will come through the laying on of hands or a sudden decision at the altar – it will come through a daily, deliberate, and determined walk with Him.  
 
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25 (NKJV) 
 
3. Establish and honor boundaries. Galatians 6:2 establishes the lifestyle every Christian is to lead – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”  But it is important to pay close attention to the first verse of Galatians 6 if we are to be successful in this ministry to others. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”   
 
A key to ministry to others is to know yourself. Never, and I repeat never, put yourself in a compromising situation. Boundaries must be determined before the ministry begins and they cannot be violated. Becoming a spiritual fatality while attempting to rescue someone else is not commendable, it is reprehensible. 
 
4. Know when to ask for help. I am sure I do not know each reader of this blog personally, but I know something about each one of you. I know you are not God! Even with your extraordinary talent and abilities, you have limitations. You cannot fix everything. At some point you will face a mountain bigger than you and you will need help. This is not a weakness, but being able to realize it is a legitimate strength. 
 
Sometimes you will need to speak to someone about your own need. Other times you will need to refer the one you are trying to help to someone more skilled than yourself – a pastor, counselor, or a medical professional. You are not accepting defeat and God has certainly not failed you; you are just discovering no one person can do everything. Sometimes we all need help. 
 
It is a beautiful thing when the Body of Christ embraces its mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus to this world. Caring about people and putting legs to our prayers will truly make a difference in a society that desperately needs to know there is an answer to the challenges they are facing. But a broken world needs a healthy Church, and the Church is only healthy when its constituents are healthy. 
 
I want to make an impact. I want my life to count. I want God to use me to be the answer to someone’s prayer. I want to be available for God to use whenever and however He chooses. I do not want to fail my Lord or the people who are counting on me…but it just might be that before I can help them, I need to put my mask on first.