TESTIMONY OF A CONTRIBUTOR

Born in a Christian home, raised in a Christian Protestant Church for twenty years and then a Christian Roman Catholic Church for fifteen years, attending services frequently, knowing God existed, knowing Christ was and is, but I was lost.

I became a Police Officer because I have always had a desire to help people and protect them from harm.  I worked very hard attaining a high degree of credibility among those I policed and those I worked with.  After about ten years of Police work, I came to the realization that people were still raping, robbing, and speeding in ever-increasing numbers.  I began to question why I was a policeman.  I decided, “oh well, the pay is good so I will keep at it.”  However, that driving force to help the oppressed that was always there began to rapidly disappear when I realized that I was unable to help people where they really needed it… deep inside them where I could not reach.  I realized that our Police methods and theories were falling far short of our desires and expectations to protect society. 

I never thought of a spiritual answer, but I realized that the only answer was an individual’s personal desire to respect his fellow man’s rights.  A feeling of helplessness gave way to frustration, to forget it, do my eight hours, pick up my pay, live my own life, and have fun.  Personal selfishness grew. Alcohol consumption increased dramatically, family abuse, particularity mental and sometimes physical abuse to my wife continued to worsen.  My material position was complete and I had many friends, but emptiness, a feeling of something lacking, became more and more evident as I viewed the shallowness of my life.  I became increasingly depressed as my insensitivity to family and people grew. I sometimes thought the best solution would be to get out of it all.  Leave!  Just leave!  The force could hire some younger person, full of hollow expectations the same as I once was, and my family too would be better off without me. 

At this point, fifteen years into my Police career, by chance (I realize now that it was divine intervention) I got sent on an assignment with a Police Officer who I knew I was one of those professing born again guys.  I always liked him, but I wanted nothing to do with a Bible thumper.  As the evening went along, I asked him a question and he told me about the coming tribulation and judgment of God in plain and simple terms that I could understand.  He then went on to tell me that all I had to do was ask Jesus to be Lord of my life, and mean it, and he would help me with all my problems and give me a brand new life.  I pondered over our conversation and read a book he gave me called, “The Late Great Planet Earth” by Hal Lindsay. 

Another great friend I had avoided since I found out he had become a born-again Christian happened to drop in.  He sent his wife with a Bible and I started reading it regularly.  I started praying everyday.  I went to our own church on Sunday morning and at night to the church this Christian Police Officer attended.  At first I felt uncomfortable and found it difficult to go there but felt God wanted me to go so I hung in.  This new church was one where they raised their hands and really praised God in song and words with great meaning, not with hollow repetitions.  I had no idea how far from God I was, and as he started opening my eyes I realized how much I needed Jesus to be in charge of my life.

One night at home I prayed with all my heart and admitted I was a sinner who needed Jesus to forgive my sins and come into my life, to lead me and teach me in God’s ways.  How did my life change?  “Completely!” from hopeless to hopeful.  Do I still have problems?  Yes, they never end but there is a crucial difference now.  God, through Jesus, works them all out with me, not very often the way I expect him to.  He always does it better.  Do I suffer persecution because of my commitment to Jesus?  Yes, the same as all born-again Christians suffer.  II Timothy 3:12, “Everyone who wants to live a Godly life is Christ will be persecuted.”  How does one handle the persecution?  With prayer and scripture.  II Timothy2:25&26, “ Those who oppose him he must gently instruct in the hope  that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”  When the devil uses them to persecute you, pray earnestly for them or their souls are going to be lost

All thanks and praise to our God of love who freely gives his forgiveness and saving grace to us through his son Jesus.