BGEA: I am a policeman and a Christian, and I have to admit I get discouraged sometimes because it doesn't seem like I'm doing much good.

I am a policeman and a Christian, and I have to admit I get discouraged sometimes because it doesn't seem like I'm doing much good. The crime rate (especially drugs) is just as bad in our community as it was when I started 10 years ago. My wife says maybe I ought to do something else. Should I? — K.R.

I don't know whether or not you should shift careers; as a Christian, you should only do so after much prayer, and after you are convinced it is God's will.

But I do know this: What you are doing is not worthless—not at all. After all, how much worse would our society be if we didn't have people like you who are on the front lines combating crime? And how many individuals have you helped who were facing crisis situations—and would have had to face them alone if you hadn't been there? The Bible says, "Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right" (Psalm 106:3).

Think of it this way: Are a doctor's efforts useless just because people keep getting sick? Are a barber's efforts useless just because people keep growing hair? No, of course not. And neither are your efforts, for as long as the human race exists society will have the same kind of problems you face every day. The reason is because we live in a fallen, sinful world, and human nature has not changed.

At the beginning of each day, ask God to help you, and to make you an encouragement to at least one person that day. Ask Him also to help you share Christ with your fellow officers. And please accept my sincere thanks for the fine work you and others like you do every day to make our world a safer and better place.

3 Comments

Israel says 9.13.2012, 04:00 a.m.

The Bible says that man is a spirit, created in the Image and Likeness of GOD.As such, he can't find fulfillment in life if he's not in touch and fellowship with the GODHEAD.You are first of all a Christian!Therefore be a Policeman with a difference!

Rubiah says 9.10.2012, 10:12 a.m.

It may be straineous to engage in a profession that does not match your personality but with the right/ ve attitude the burden is greatly reduced.I believe as per now the best option, since quitting to another proffession may cost alot,interms of time and resource.

Ed says 7.19.2011, 11:30 a.m.

I encourage you to find a time and place where you can think about your work and seek God's guidance. I was a police officer for 10 years and became frustrated and left the job because I did not feel that what I was doing was accomplishing anything.Thirty years later, I realize that I made a mistake - I should have stayed on the department. I had saved lives even while risking my own. I had been able to talk to people who were in trouble and even help some of them out of their problems.Police departments can discourage us from our work because of their stiff bureaucracies and attitudes. So many officers get tired of being constantly harassed by their superiors and sometimes it just seems like you are unable to do anything of meaning. Do not give up. Talk to God and your wife. Talk to others on the department whom you respect. I can assure you that a Christian police officer can accomplish so much, even if he cannot see it.It does not matter how bad the crime rate gets or how society acts. What matters is if you work for God and see an opportunity to do his work. Do everything as though you are doing it unto God. Your heart must be filled with God's heart. As long as you serve him, your work on the police department will have great value to him and to the world. Very few people have the opportunity to do what you can do.