National Police Week

Romans 13:3–4a (ESV)

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God’s servant for your good.

Yesterday I attended a ceremony outside the Police headquarters in Sugar Land.  It’s National Police Week (I am not sure if that is the proper name) across the US.  The ceremony in Sugar Land was a memorial service.  The purpose was to honor the police officers from the State of Texas who have given their lives in the line of duty over the past year

As I stood there during the presentation of the colors, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, listening to the speakers, I couldn’t help but think how much we take for granted the work done by these men and women every day and every night.  The chaplain, a local pastor, who gave the invocation, read a poem.  The poem was a great reminder that while we are celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas – they are at work.  While we are playing with our kids and grandkids, they often are not – they are out working and protecting us.  I couldn’t help but think of last week, the night when our area received 10-12 inches of rain in a few short hours.  It was a horrible storm – lots of lightening.  Linda and I were home, in our living room, watching it storm.  Where were the police? They were out in that storm doing everything they could to help and protect people endangered by the flash floods that were happening.   Even while I stood there at this ceremony a police car roared by on the street – its lights flashing and siren blaring.  Even then, during their own ceremony – most of the police force was still out doing their job, protecting us.  Most of them couldn’t even attend their own ceremony.

The key note speaker for the event was a police officer from the Santa Fe Texas school district.  You will remember that one year ago they had a school shooting at the high school in Santa Fe.  This man was there.  He and his partners were among the first to reach the scene.  His partner, who arrived just four seconds before him, was shot and almost lost his life.  The thought struck me – while everyone else was running away from the shooter – these police officers ran towards the gunfire.  They ran into the danger, risked their lives – to protect the students and staff of that school.

That’s when I thought of the passage from Romans 13.  For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good.  Police officers, first responders, fireman, medical personal, soldiers – they are all “God’s servants” for our good – men and women God has called into the service of our society to keep evil in check and protect us.  So what do I do with that?  What do we do with that?

Here are some ideas.  Don’t take them for granted.  The fact that we do, tells us what a great job that they are doing.  When you get a chance – thank them.  I know many officers at Lamb of God and here at Fishers.  My nephew Kurt is a police officer.  To Kurt and all of you – thank you for all you do… thank you for protecting us… thank you for risking your lives, so that our lives are not at risk.  Thank you also to all the Fireman and first responders and more.

Second, assume the best.  There has been a lot of bad press in recent years and I am sure there are bad police officers.  But those are few.   The vast majority are honorable men and women who put their lives on the line every day for you and me.  Don’t believe all the press.  Assumer the best.  Honor these men and women.

Third, pray for them.  The officer who spoke about the shooting in Santa Fe, also spoke about how for a long time there was a stigma among officers about admitting it when an officer needs counseling and therapy. The result has been high rates of alcoholism, divorce and suicide.  They work in high pressure jobs, encounter a great deal of trauma and stress.  Pray for them.  As a society we need to do what we can to love and care for them and their families and their needs.  What might that be?  I know that my son Ben’s church in Penfield NY is helping to supply and train members to serve as chaplains for the local police. After all they do for us – this is the lest we can do. 

“Lord, thank you for women and men who serve as police officers, Fire fighters, first responders, soldiers and more. They are a gift from you.  Lord watch over them, their spouses and their children.  Protect them in their service.  In times of danger give them courage and in times of tragedy bring comfort, hope and healing.  Lord, show us how we can serve them and then move us into action to do just that.  In Jesus name.  Amen."