Living My Faith at Work by A Christian Federal Law Enforcement Agent As a federal law enforcement officer, I face many challenges in living out my Christian faith. I have a sense of calling that my work is what God wants me to do which empowers me in my faith life. I believe God calls each of us to what has been described as "Ministry in Daily Life." This is basically to live out the Gospel wherever we are, believing that God has placed us there for His purpose. Each of us has been given a unique "ministry" based on who we interact with every day, whether at home, at work or in social settings. Some writer has noted, "You may be the only Jesus they ever see." I have a sense of responsibility to help others and share my faith as God gives me opportunity. I believe God has blessed me in many ways and I in turn should strive to be a blessing to others. I often see the worst side of people, those who I investigate for federal criminal violations. Over the last 19 years, I’ve investigated outlaw motorcycle gangs, teenage prostitution rings, organized crime in New York City, and most kinds of white collar crime. Two of the driving forces I've seen as being common in these people are greed and power. Many people show no remorse when caught, only disappointment that they were caught. And yet, in God's eyes, I know I'm no better than them, for "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." But praise God, I know I'm forgiven and serve a risen Savior who has conquered sin and death and who gives me hope and a purpose every day, along with the promise of eternal life. I am privileged by God’s grace to live the "abundant life" the Apostle John described. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Reader Feedback: This story is a blessing to me, I too was in law enforcement to some degree. I was a corrections officer in west Texas for the Taylor County Sheriff's Department. As a corrections officer I was a work crew boss. Frequently I would have inmates on the workcrew trimming trees, picking up trash, or working in the county maintenance facilities. I was told that I could not witness to an inmate because this violates his rights due to him being incarcerated. But I was also told that if the inmate starts the conversation then I would be allowed to talk with him and answer questions. I struggled with this for some time, because as a result of God's grace for me I was saved and commanded by Him to tell others (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8) and several other scripture telling me I should witness to them. Instead of leaving my Bible in my lunch box I would leave it laying on the dash of the bus or in one of the inmates seats. I also would have Christian music playing on the radio. It took about three days of doing this and slowly one by one inmates would ask questions about the Bible or a particular praise song that spoke to their heart. For the eight years that I was with the Sheriff's department, two inmates knelt with me and accepted Jesus as their Savior. I had always viewed these men as men, the separation between me and them was that I knew Christ personally and they did not. So I began to volunteer through Freedom Flyer Ministry, to get into the maximum security prison in the area to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not keep a running number of the men that I have lead to the Lord, because it is not about me it is all God. I have been blessed to have a part in these new babes in Christ. I have felt God calling me to the full time vocational ministry for two years. I ran from this calling from 2001 to 2003. I am writing this the 30 day of April 2004, I am now completing my freshman year at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. I am studying for a pastoral degree. I do not know at this time where God will lead me, I just know that I am in His will at this time and He will reveal to me in His time where am to go from here. I apologize for the length of this e-mail. I will begin to pray for you and your ministry. I hope this is encouraging to you. Your letter has been encouraging to me. Some people do not understand law enforcement personnel, especially if we are not afraid to show that we Love and serve a mighty God in the workplace as well as at home. -- KB |
