• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About John Hembree
  • Blog

John Hembree

An Everyday Expression of Hope and Its Potential

An Everyday Expression of HopeĀ 

When The Mask Drops Down

March 29, 2012 by John Hembree Leave a Comment

“Oxygen and the air pressure are always being monitored. In the event of a decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you. To start the flow of oxygen, pull the mask towards you. Place it firmly over your nose and mouth, secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally. Although the bag does not inflate, oxygen is flowing to the mask. If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person. Keep your mask on until a uniformed crew member advises you to remove it.”

If you have ever flown before you have heard these instructions at least once.

I have never been in a situation serious enough for the masks to be lowered. However, if it happens, action must be taken immediately.

Did you notice that you are told to secure your mask first before you assist someone else? Wouldn’t it be the opposite? I have often wondered about that. And today, without looking for an answer the light bulb came on.

Here’s how it came to me.

I was in a meeting today with Chief Larry Few, Fire Chief for the Fulton County Fire and Rescue Department outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Assistant Fire Chief Jack Butler we were discussing the advantages and benefits of higher education and being able to serve others through a college degree.

Chief Few said, “It’s like this. You know when you are on a flight and they give you the pre-flight speech? When they give the instructions regarding decompression, they instruct you to put your mask on first before you attempt to assist another. Why? Because unless you have oxygen you can not help someone else receive oxygen. You have to have before you can help someone else have.”

Light bulb moment above my head.

He was exactly right. I can not help someone else unless I have first received help. I can not offer hope to those who are hopeless unless I have first found hope. Without it, even though I might attempt to help them I am as hopeless as they.

“And do not neglect going good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

That which you have been given, share with others.

The peace that you have found, show others the path to that same peace.

When the turbulent times come in life, and they will, when others are panicking, take the mask, take in the oxygen and with your sound mind and wits about you, help others to put on their mask and be saved.

The mask is God’s plan for their life. It is dangling right in front of them. You can help them put it on.

JHH

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: General

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe

Get Email Updates

* indicates required
/ ( mm / dd )

Recent Posts

Okay

T.J. Sutton

What Could Be More Beautiful?

I Love You Softly

Exclusive Property

Come On In!

THE RICH AND THE POOR

Recent Comments

  • Emily on 61
  • Mere on An Incomplete Circle- An Unfinished Life
  • Emily on Reaching Forward…Each New Day
  • Emily on Not A Resolution..More Of A Resolve
  • Dan Davis on I Am Inescapable

Footer

  • Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2008-2021 · All Rights Reserved · Website by TecAdvocates

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy