Daily Devotional - "Through the Eyes of a Cop"
Control
Dispatch (Assignment): Read Exodus 10:1 - 12:13, Matthew 20:1-28, Psalm 25:1-15, and Proverbs 6:6-11.
Briefing: There are two very distinct areas of control. Spiritual control is always good. Self-control is a fruit of the spirit. Control of the flesh can be good or bad. Learning to control your desires is good while being a "control freak" is bad.
On the Street: (Exodus 10:11) Pharaoh was still refusing to humble himself to God. He still wanted to exercise control over the Hebrews. But Pharaoh was in no position to make demands.
Maintaining control is not a bad thing. Law enforcement officers are taught in training academies that they must always maintain control. Being a control freak is ingrained in us from day one. "You must maintain control of every situation, or someone will get hurt." Law enforcement officers get called to some situations where chaos is running rampant and we are expected to regain control, to establish calm, and restore peace.
As Christ followers, we are on a journey where we submit more and more to a life that resembles that of Jesus. We are on a path to give up control, to stop living for self, to die to self daily, and to live for Christ. I think this is why there are so few Christians in law enforcement. Law enforcement officers must recognize the need to stop trying to control everything and trust the one who is in control of everything.
It is okay to use control for officer safety and in the performance of your job, but we must have the ability to turn it down or off when it is not needed. A law enforcement officer only uses force when necessary and only the force necessary to gain control. We must use control in the same manner, only when necessary and only the amount of control necessary. It is a gas pedal, not an off and on switch. We must learn to regulate our controlling tendencies. Do not be a Pharaoh.
Investigational Resources: Luke 9:23 and Galatians 5:24.
Officer Safety Principle: Be in control while in the performance of your job but learn to give up control to Christ. This is a skill that must be practiced and honed every day.
©2022 by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
All scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
The One Year Bible © by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Did you enjoy today's devotional? Want more?
Click here to check out the entire Through the Eyes of a Cop series!
