Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship Newsletter

August 2011

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2).

Often called the warrior’s psalm, so begins this Old Testament hymn for those who live to guard the well-being of others. It is a compelling psalm because it captures a sense of the resolute state of mind for one who knows not only the purpose of their life, but the ultimate truth upon which their life is hinged.

War often captures an essence of life itself, equalizing all men in the face of their mortality. What one will do in the face of death is probably one of the clearest indicators of genuine character. “Generally speaking, the way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death” (Miyamoto Mushashi), and scripture reminds us death is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart (Ecc. 7:2). That inevitability was quite graphically burned into our psyche ten years ago next month. I wrote then that “Our understanding and interpretation (of life) is tied to our experience of it, and our reality now has become hued with a very stark and ominous shadow. The horrifying and catastrophic loss of life was paralyzing to witness with thousands perishing before our eyes, and the overwhelming destruction of property and corporate means staggering and incomprehensible.” We understand now, perhaps for this generation more than ever, the reality of evil and its dispassionate, psychotic, indiscriminate and dark resolve. Diplomacy, though necessary, seems pointless at times with the strain of malevolence that has since threatened our peace and freedom, and true to our expectations, life in our time has changed dramatically. Living with tragic loss, domestically and internationally, is becoming an unnerving new normal, though try as we might to curb its opportunity and thwart its intent. We are constrained to live with an acute color-code of mental awareness, and vigilance is our watchword. Ten years and nearly 4,700 military deaths later, we’re still threatened by attack. Where is our peace?

Last month the SDPD endured the heartbreaking deaths of officers Donna Williams and daughter; Dave Hall and Jeremy Henwood. These weren’t due to terrorism, but violence from psych¬sis, mental distress or… God alone knows, still brings the same senseless end and anguish. But if anything good came out of these terrible events, it was a reminder of who we really are and how much we really mean to each other. What was reflected to one another was a force more powerful than any evil could destroy, more enduring than darkness can comprehend.

Soldiers in combat operations develop a sense of closeness because of the mortality they face on a daily basis. When 9/11 occurred, people in this country came together in remarkable ways to affirm, encourage, support and give comfort. We were more united than we’d been since WWII. The stage collapse tragedy at the Indiana State Fair congealed everyone in the crowd into a massive rescue force to free and care for those trapped in the rubble. This month’s tragic deaths brought officers together for high honors and regard for these dear friends, and for the assurance and affirmation and regard they have for each other. The embraces, tears, testimonies, and attention to dignity and respect from their department as well as the community were as much for each other as the loved ones they lost, as they strengthened what remained, and proved the deaths a lasting legacy to the care and keeping they maintain for each other. And in so doing we add to the heart of what makes us overcomers. We have hope and peace because we resolve to take care of each other all the more, and ever revere our fallen.

Scripture tells us “let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (I John 4:7-8). It also says “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (v.18). We don’t fear consequence or failure when we act out of love and respect and the dignity of God’s image in us. We live in a world that incorporates dark and violent beings hell-bent on destruction with their own senseless, obsessive, self-serving and evil desires. To pretend they’re not there is to fall prey to them. But it’s what God’s Light, Life and Love entered this world to redeem it from, and as we stand strong for each other, whether in life or in death, we manifest that Love of God in Christ Who overcame it all to draw us to Himself, that we might live strong through Him and not be afraid, having the hope of eternal life. As a warrior for His sake, we can have a resolute and confident acceptance of death as we trust God’s Spirit to equip and strive through us to live our lives sacrificially, knowing that we will not have lived in vain, as we honor Him, the lives entrusted to us, and the legacy we give to each other. We are restored as we fulfill that legacy, taking to heart every moment we live the privilege of proving it true. There’s no better hope than that. “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name” (Psalm 91:14).