from Ron Rose
April 7, 2008

Preparation

We had been in line for a few minutes when the guy in front of us asked, “Can you hold my place in line? I'll be right back.”

“Sure,” I responded. But he never came back. Do I keep holding his place?

I think he discovered he was in the wrong line. Have you ever felt that way? …like you have been waiting in the wrong line all your life?

Suddenly, it dawns on you that there is more to life than waiting in line, any line?

Ok, it’s a little bizarre, but every now and then we all need a little “suddenly,” a little “whack up the side of the head.” This is your week to get out of line and into the story.

God didn’t invent the line and he doesn't intend for you to live in one. He wants you to experience life to the fullest… every once in a while he whacks you up the side of the head… sends you a moral crisis, surprises you with an unforeseen challenge, or a slap in the face to get your attention.

In fact, God loves to surprise us and keep us guessing.

Inspiration

“In 2000,” Gary began, “I was chairman of the American Heart Association of Texas. We were involved in a national campaign to place Public Access Automated External Defibrillators or AED’s in airports. We had fought through all kinds of resistance just to get the program launched. The key point is that anyone can operate the AED’s. No special training is needed.”

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was the first Texas airport to be equipped with the AED’s. There were eight of them placed throughout the terminal.

Then on March 19th of 2001 Gary was at the Austin Airport passing through the security checkpoint when he collapsed. The newspaper reported it this way: ‘the police responded and determined that the 53-year-old was in cardiac arrest. A public access Automated External Defibrillator was attached to the subject and a shock was delivered. CPR was continued with the assistance of Airport Fire Rescue and the Austin Fire Department. EMS arrived and administered advanced life support. The subject was transported to Brackenridge hospital where he was in stable condition.’”

The very Defibrillator he had fought to place in that Airport only weeks before, saved Gary's life.
The story continues. Gary put it this way, “That event turned my life around. God ‘whacked me up the side of the head’ and I got the message. I turned my life, what's left of it, over to him. I figure He’s got more surprises on His agenda, or more things for me to do, or more people that need to hear my story of hope.”

Motivation

Do you need a “whack up the side of the head?” Are you prepared for the surprises God has in store for you? Or are you still waiting in line, wondering?

It’s time to get out of line. You prepare for surprises by living so God looks good, regardless. Then, expect an occasional whack up the side of the head. When God shows up, tell someone about it.
Your story will give hope to someone around you who is still waiting in line. This is your week!