Dusk Til Dawn: The Waiting — Wednesday
1 Corinthians 13:4a
Love is patient, love is kind. (NIV)
Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a ride-along with the Lexington Police Department.
If you’re considering a career in law enforcement, or you just want to learn more about the areas of town you’re less familiar with (like me), I’d strongly encourage you to give it a try. Our church planting team sent me to gain knowledge, but what I actually gained was perspective.
Around midnight, the officer and I drove towards Georgetown Road, laughing and debriefing the last call. “You’ll definitely see some things,” said Ben, a young officer around my age. This was his fifth year on the force, but his maturity and wisdom were that of an officer well beyond his years. There was no hint of arrogance, yet he approached every stop with the calm demeanor of a veteran pilot and the strategy of an NFL quarterback.
As we approached an intersection, we spotted an older gentleman on a bicycle take a HARD fall to the ground. Ben whipped the car around, and we hopped out to check on him.
The man’s face was bloodied, his nose badly broken. Ben radioed an ambulance, and help was on the way. The man was homeless and heavily intoxicated.
At first, the man seemed docile, answering Ben’s questions. But as Ben gently explained that the man wouldn’t be able to take his bike to the hospital, he exploded.
“You can’t take my bike, you jerk!” (He didn’t actually say jerk). Ben remained calm, trying to reassure the man that everything would be okay, taking several minutes of verbal abuse until the ambulance arrived. As the firefighters loaded him onto the stretcher, the man spat toward Ben.
I was ticked. My first inclination was to climb up there and break the man’s nose even worse. Ben was the only person who had stopped to help this man, and here he was cursing at him! Ben had been patient; this guy had been a jerk.
Unfortunately, I’ve been there before. Not in Officer Ben’s shoes, but in the man on the bike’s.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve gotten angry at God, when in reality, He was only trying to help me. God has been so patient with me—not because I deserve it, but because His love is kind.
My prayer for you today is that you would show someone else the help, kindness, and patience of someone like Officer Ben.
Because if you do, you’ll be loving them like Jesus.
Wednesday’s Reflection
Think of someone who has tested your patience recently. What are some ways you can love them more intentionally this Christmas?