Recently, I came across something pretty special. I got out one of the Bibles I had in my nightstand. It was one of Mike’s. When I opened it, piles of papers fell out. It was multiple sermons that Mike had written. He wrote them all about 12 years ago when he was helping lead high school youth group at our church with his best friend Austin, who was the youth pastor.
As I flipped though pages and pages of his sermon notes on faith, relationships, marriage, prayer, listening to the voice of God I couldn’t help but think about what jewels I had just discovered for our boys. Biblical truths, wisdom, written by their dad with the sole purpose of bringing young kids to Christ and deepening their relationships with the Lord.
There is one sermon in particular that Mike wrote that I want to share some bits and pieces of. Words of wisdom that should be shared with all. Words that can change peoples’ lives from a Godly man, who is now in the presence of the Lord.
Mike questions the meaning of life, the purpose of life here on this Earth. He compares his career as a police officer, which at this time he was only a mere two years into his career, and the idea of wearing a uniform and how it directly parallels to being a Christian.
I remember him shinning his boots and duty belt and wearing his uniform to youth group the night he shared this message…
“As you guys can tell, I am a San Jose Police Officer. I have been on the street for over two years. I currently work in patrol and drive a patrol car. My job consists of patrolling a beat, or area in the city, where I am responsible to answer calls for service. 911 calls, alarm calls, stolen vehicle calls, fight calls, domestic violence calls, gang calls, rape calls, death calls, shootings, stabbings, car crashes… you name it, I’ve done it. And when I am not answering calls for service I patrol around looking for people to arrest. I catch people with drugs, guns, stolen property, all kinds of stuff. My job is simple, to take crooks to jail and to make the city of San Jose a safer place to live, work and play. It’s a great job.
I want to share with you guys what’s on my heart. There is a reason why I am wearing my uniform, that I choose to carry a gun on my hip and to put my life on the line every day. I will give my life for this job and I will fight with every ounce of muscle in my body for what I am going to share with you. I want to help you answer some of the biggest questions asked in life, that many people go their whole lives and they still can’t answer.
What is the meaning of life? What is the purpose of life on this earth?
Here I stand before you in this uniform and I’m sure what comes to mind is authority, law, rules, jail, government, etc. Uniforms make a strong statement that belong to an organization, a group, and when you wear that uniform you are expected to represent that group. SJPD prides itself on honor, courage, commitment, professionalism and service to the community. When I put on this uniform I am expected to uphold those values and I took an oath to do so. But what happens when the uniform comes off and no one knows I am a cop? I could get away with being unprofessional, dishonoring, uncommitted, and no one may think any less of me. In that oath that I took when I was sworn into being a police officer it said that we are held to that high standard both on and off duty.
The idea of wearing a uniform directly parallels with what it means to be a Christian. So here is my point… As followers of Christ we are called by God to live our lives according to His Word. As a Christian you are part of something bigger than yourself. You stand with others and say “Look at us, here is who we are, this is my choice.” There are fewer and fewer fundamental truths left in this world but believe me when I say, God requires Christians to wear a uniform. The Bible is filled with examples of the “Christian Uniform”.
Paul says in Romans 13:12-14 to put on the Armor of God.
It is a choice to put aside worldly “uniforms” and clothe yourself with Christ. This choice is not to be taken lightly, in fact it is the single most important choice a person can ever make.
When you accept Christ, that uniform never comes off. You wear it and wear it everywhere you go, which means it may look clean at times but you drag it through the filthiness of sin.
When I was in high school I took that uniform on and off. If I were asked, at that point of my life, if I were to die would I be going to heaven…the answer would have been no. So I came to a crossroad and decided to stop dragging my uniform through crap. I decided to clean up my uniform and get serious about what I claimed to represent. To represent Christ.
So what is the answer to those important questions, What is the meaning of life, the purpose of life on earth?
The purpose of life is to give glory to God. In everything you do, seek to glorify God. Live in the light because people are watching, God is watching and He wants to bless you. He has a specific plan for each of your lives and he wants you to be successful and wear the uniform of Christ with honor, courage and commitment.”
