As a young deputy sheriff, I often found it difficult to stay out of my own way. It amazed me as much as anyone that they issued a badge and gun to my immature self. It’s only by the grace of God that I survived those years.

One day, Dispatch called me off patrol to see the Sheriff. That was an unusual occurrence at the time. Being called into the Sheriff’s office was similar to being summoned by the Wizard of Oz. I couldn’t imagine what I had done to warrant a face-to-face with the boss. So, I replayed the events of the day. Whatever offense I’d committed, it was now judgment day.

When I arrived at headquarters, someone ushered me into the Sheriff’s office. As I entered, I saw the Sheriff and the Chief Deputy sitting in the same room. Everyone knew those two didn’t get along. Whatever rallied them on my behalf must have been serious. My stress level suddenly spiked to the point of panic. Then I deflated and sighed in surrender. Oh well, I thought. I’m young, I can get another job…

The tone of the meeting, however, was surprisingly cordial. The Chief asked, “How would you like to be assigned to the Homicide Unit?” Inside my head, I distinctly said, “No sir, I would not like that! Homicide is the one place I swore I’d never work. I have a weak stomach and an aversion to germs.” Yet, when I opened my mouth, I heard, “Yes sir! Thank you, I would like that very much.” Thus began the sixteen-year assignment I swore I didn’t want.

If you had asked me in my youth if I would like to spend the rest of my life following Jesus, I would have laughed. I’d probably say, “No thanks, I would not like that. I do not want to surrender control of my life, and I have an aversion to obedience and self-discipline.” Yet when the man on the TV asked that question, I heard “Yes Lord” come out of my mouth. Thus began the greatest adventure life ever offered me… one that will continue into eternity.

Since I know I’ve got a face-to-face coming, “I focus on one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13,14)