The Air We Breathe

Last week we flew to Pittsburgh to spend spring break with my parents.  My favorite part of flying with kids--other than when my husband allows our six year old to order a Coke on the first leg of our flight--is when they instruct you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first and then assist the children flying with you.  The flight attendants make a big deal of coming to you individually and reminding you because, as parents (or just nice, helping people in general), our first instinct is to sacrifice for our children.  But what good can you do for your child if you're passed out in your seat?  The reminder is well taken and I like to think of this is as good spiritual advice, too.  If you're not getting any spiritual oxygen of your own, how in the world can you expect to lead anyone else around you to it?  Please don't misunderstand me.  This IS NOT about being a perfect Christian.  Could there even be such a thing??  It's about taking the time you need to be with Christ, so He can reveal His will for you.  This IS NOT about having all the answers, as if that was ever possible.  It's about making sure you're taking time to ask and listen for them.  This IS NOT about being selfish.  It's about putting your relationship with Christ ahead of your relationship with others, getting your oxygen mask in the right place, so God can move through you to get all the other masks where they belong as well.  And since we're already one foot in with this metaphor...."the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" Genesis 2:7.  We need God's oxygen!!  Without it we are but dust on the ground, as misdirected and unfocused as a six year old hopped up on caffeine and stuck in an airplane.  Take a breath with God today, in prayer and in His word.  Be alive in Him.  XOXO....Kelly