Stepping out on faith to speak to someone about Christ can have a life changing impact. Read the following example and feel free to post your own thoughts at the end.
The area that I patrol is a lower to middle class socioeconomic depressed area of my hometown. Contry to popular opinion, the vast marjority of the residents are hard-working descent God fearing people. However, there is also an evil dark side as well.
Recently, I had a young gentleman on a bicycle who often acts as a lookout for drug dealers yell at me as I drove by. This wasn’t the first time that he has yelled at me and each time I have never said or did anything different, I only ignored him and kept on driving by. But this time, as I drove by him only some 5 feet away, he looked directly at me and yelled a very personal statement, he said; "Go Home!"
But this time something was different, I felt the spirit of the Lord calling me to stop. So, I did. I put my patrol vehicle in reverse and starting backing up to him. He turned and looked away in the other direction and began to ride away on his bicycle. I asked him; "What, you don’t like the Police?" He firmly stated, "No!" we looked at each other 'eye to eye' for a moment and I asked him directly what was on my heart. I said; "Do you have the joy of the Lord in your heart?" He stopped and looked directly at me with a confused look. I quickly followed that question up with another and I asked him, "Do you read the Bible?" He stated very proudly "Yes, I do"! I asked, "well, that's good, have you ever read Romans 13 verses 1-5"? By now, this young man's angry face had disapeared and he now had a slight smile coming from his mouth. He replied; "No, what was that verse again?".
I gave him the very short layman's version of the verse, and explained that according to the Bible, policeman are servants of the Lord and we are here to do you good and not harm, so have no fear if you are not doing wrong". The young man rode his bicycle closer to my patrol vehicle and said; "I’ve never had an officer talk about the Bible to me before, I want you to know that I respect you sir". I handed him a gospel track that Chaplain Tony Miano wrote entitled; "You Have the Right to Remain Silent". Before we parted, I told him to read the track and to think about what is written in it. I reminded him to go home and to read his Bible verse on Romans 13 and not to forget that policeman are God’s angels here on earth for some very difficult times. The man agreed stating; "I know that’s right!". Before I drove off I told the young man "May God Bless You". The man replied, "May God Bless You Sir".
Did I make a difference in this young man’s life? Only God knows. I know that I will be looking for him again and quite honestly I hope that I never see him again until that day we meet on heavens side. But until then, have you ever driven by someone like this young man? Have you stopped to think that although this person who is calling you names, maybe is actually calling out to you for help, spiritual help?
Can you image the difference that police officers can make in their cities by witnessing to folks just like this young man.
John Dawson in his 1989 book entitled; "Taking Our Cities For God" writes; " Our new vision of Christian missions must focus on cities. If we want to bring nations to Christ, we must win their cities and the people in them".
Here are some spiritaul 'food for thought' questions for you.
- Can we as police officers actually take our cities back from evil and crime meeting individuals head on with a word from the Bible?
- Can it be that simple, or do we complicate God word?
- Can you muster the spiritual strength to step out on faith and talk to someone like this?
- Have you ever spoken to someone like this before?
