READ: 2 TIMOTHY 1: 1-14
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. (V. 7)
The late-night storm had subsided, and fog was reducing visibility. Due to a recent promotion and transfer, I had mere vague idea of my location. I was actually on this road as part of a self-imposed geographical learning experience to gain knowledge of my new police district. Suddenly learning evolved into enforcement! The vehicle in front of me was weaving from one side of the road to the other, the classic sign of a driver who was impaired by drugs or alcohol. After a short distance, I activated my light bar and pulled the vehicle over. It was not an optimal location due to the narrow road, but it provided approaching drives a clear view of my rotating lights and offered lighting for my personal safety.
I exited my vehicle after notifying the dispatcher of the circumstances and perceived location, which turned out to be less than accurate. Noting two people in the front of the vehicle, I slowly approached the driver’s side. The second the driver rolled down his window and spoke, the odor of alcohol hit me like the smell of a freshly killed skunk! I saw small tin foil packets, consistent with drug packaging, and a large, unsheathed hunting knife on the floor. Despite my instructions, both men who were the size of football linemen, exited the vehicle and began to approach me from two sides. My full attention, as well as my service revolver, came to bear on both men. My non -Christian language commands immediately gained their full compliance and cooperation (In reality, due to their size and heavy clothing, I was not sure my six-shot revolver would have been adequate to stop them). Waiting for my back-up units, they began pleading not to be arrested as they were late getting back to prison from a weekend furlough. I forced a brief smile telling them not to worry, the Warden would be glad to know they were safe in my custody.
When my fellow shift mates arrived and the situation was brought firmly under control, you could feel the adrenaline fall from my head to toes. My fear had given way to my survival instinct and training, coupled with a healthy dose of protective grace from the Holy Spirit. However, in other far less threatening situations, I have often shrunk from the opportunity to share Jesus with family members, friends and strangers. How is it that I could arrest man-mountain felons but shrink from service for Christ? The immediate answer evades me. I know without hesitation that Jesus will protect and love me no matter the situation (Romans 8:38-39). However, my timidity, at times, to acknowledge my faith gets the best of me as I walk my daily earthly journey.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Are you timid or BOLD FOR Christ?
Dear Jesus, forgive me when I fail to proclaim your Good News to those waiting to hear it from me. Help me overcome this fear and stand for you—THE UNSHAKEABLE MOUNTAIN OF MY FAITH.