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Following in the footsteps of the Acts of the
Apostles, written by St. Luke, Shepherd's Cross Christian Helps Ministry
exists by the grace of God to further the first century Apostolic tradition
serving in the Great Commission. |
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Virtue and Vice: Interruptions
I was approximately ten years old when I walked into the kitchen of my home and informed my mom, Joyce Katherine, that when I grew up I wanted to be a police officer. The source of my inspiration was a television show called 1-Adam 12. 1-Adam 12 was a half hour TV show about a couple of LAPD police officers assigned to patrol the streets of Los Angeles Ca. This police cruiser was assigned the call sign 1-Adam 12 thus the name for the show. I felt to become a police officer was my calling, my vocation if you will. I could not see myself doing any other career. During my sophomore year in high school, students were given a survey card to fill out asking information about career plans. I wrote I wanted to be in law enforcement. Soon after turning in the survey card I was contacted by a local police officer. I was informed that the police department was starting a police explorer post. I became one of the first to join. I graduated high school and immediately entered junior college as the school was called back in the day majoring in police science. I received an Associates of Arts degree in Police Science at nineteen. As I began applying for a position as a police officer with local cities, I discovered that my uncorrected vision was a medical impediment that would disqualify me for a position as a California Peace Officer. What was I going to do? I had a major interruption that I had no control over. Lewis again states, "What one calls ones “real life” is a phantom of one’s own imagination." I was making progress towards my career goal. I was physically fit. I had been a police explorer. I had an A.A. degree in police science conferred upon me. I made friends within the police department. During every step along the way I did not think of asking about the physical qualification other than the obvious. I wear glasses. No one addressed this subject with me as it pertained to California Peace Officer Standard and Training Qualifications. Up to that period in my life journey, I do not recall ever thinking that my Creator had a plan for me beyond salvation. I was not a Christian when the idea to become a police officer first entered into my imagination. I was a Christian when it became known to me that I would not be able to become a police officer. I began to prepare for other options that God may have for me before becoming a monastic. To be clear however with you, it was not until late in 2005 did I let go of the notion that perhaps, maybe, could it be, was it possible, would I become a law enforcement officer. No, No, No. Now, I live a simple Christian life, working for an income that supports my needs and others as need be. In the end, it is not what we do for God that counts, it is being open, available and pliable to co-operate with what God wants to do through us. “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 “So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of his good pleasure – is God.” Philippians 2:12-13 In They Stand Together: The Letters of C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves, 20 December 1943, 499, Lewis writes regarding interruptions as follows… “The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s ‘own’, or real life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life --- the life God is sending one day by day: what one calls one’s ‘real life’ is a phantom of one’s own imagination.” 2. Have you made any significant plans in your life that has not materialized that you felt you were unable to bear? Write at least one paragraph. 3. Now looking back at that time and event, what significant contributing source / sources was / were your primary strength? Do you see how God provided for you behind the scenes? Write at least one paragraph. 4. Write a personal thank-you note for each whether alive or not. If alive you may simply thank them via email, phone or in person. Say a prayer for them. 5.Take care, and tell The Blessed Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, thank you for His grace and sovereignty in your life. To share your thoughts please contact me at city_of_david_outreach@yahoo.com . |
