The other day I was thinking how so many people put so little value on life. By that I mean the importance of life having meaning and purpose.
If life has no meaning or purpose, then why are we on this earth? Why work hard or have families or anything else? Why make plans to retire or even save money for retirement?
We take life, in general, for granted. We take health, wealth, and long life for granted. We take friends and relationships for granted. Some even take their jobs for granted, or even worse, not seriously.
Life does have value and purpose. But, we are the ones who establish the value and purpose. It’s not life by chance but life by choice. You can see how much value a person puts on anything by their choices. Let me illustrate.
If a person puts little value in the health of their body, they will take drugs, drink alcohol, overeat, won’t get enough sleep, over work, etc. These choices tell me they are willing to destroy the only body they get in this life. It’s your body. You can destroy it if you want to, but these are not good choices.
If a person puts little value in friends and relationships they will not last long. That person will use and abuse the relationship because they don’t see the value or purpose. We need friends and we need good healthy relationships because they bring purpose into our lives.
People who do not put value in having a job, how ever good or bad the job is, will not be a good employee. They become takers not givers. Without value and purpose the job becomes a negative not a positive. Again, it’s a choice.
I can make the best of a bad situation or I can make the best situation bad. I do have a choice.
Ponder this statement. Things go best for people who make the best of how things turn out.
Do you know why that is? It’s because of good attitudes and good choices. Attitude can be your best friend or worst enemy. It’s a choice. Only you control attitudes, no one else.
Now the key is to find your purpose. Why do I exist? Why do I have this job? Why do I feel the way I do? Why do I have the conviction I have?
When you can truthfully answer these questions you will see a pattern in your life that has been formed by choices you have made or are making. Without knowing it you have made commitments and put value on them.
The questions now are these. Are you happy? Are you fulfilled and if not what are you going to do about it? It’s your choice.
Remember, there is no right way to do wrong, and no wrong way to do right.
God has given you only one life to live. Seek a good value system, commit to it no matter what, and enjoy good fruit.
Chaplain Bud
You, who work in law enforcement, have a great responsibility to society and to your fellow man. Your uniform sets you apart and sends a message of fear or hope. Without law enforcement evil would rule and life for human beings would become unbearable.
Your uniform represents many things.
First, to wear it you must qualify. This means you have passed many tests. These tests cost you time, patience, and money. Your uniform makes the statement, “I am prepared to handle any situation. I will do whatever it takes when I am called upon to protect, arrest, struggle, testify, or whatever.”
Second, the uniform is a statement of trust. Those in need, even though they don’t know you, must rely on your honesty and experience. But, trust is the key. We live in a world of greed and selfishness and people have lost faith in trusting others. To violate trust then would destroy everything your uniform stands for.
Third, your uniform represents character and integrity. Without character and integrity, trust has no value. Character is who you are and integrity is how you operate. The purpose of life is not to be happy but to matter. Real character must uphold certain standards that matter. Your character is who you really are, and that is why the uniform can be either good or bad. Guard your character because once damaged, it’s very hard to restore. This will bring real meaning to your job, your family, and your God.
Fourth, your uniform represents authority and power. There is no power without authority and no authority without power. Both are necessary, but must be used wisely. Law enforcement people must refuse the temptation to abuse both power and authority. They can be corrupt or they can be pure and affective. As officers, you must protect the authority as well as uphold it.
Fifth, your uniform represents a team. The team is what makes a department a success or failure. Everyone is depending on someone else to do their job. Everyone needs someone for support, advice, leadership, information or backup. You can’t do it alone. Here is where trust, character and integrity come into play. There are no short cuts to success. Without the team, there is no law.
Finally, your uniform represents the greatest country in the world. It represents your town and community. It represents your mayor and governor. It represents goodness, purity, honesty, trustworthiness and power. It represents the authority over evil and lawbreakers. It represents safety and honest folks and a warning to those who would do evil.
To be in law enforcement is a great honor. This city and country needs you! Be safe and avoid corruption. At the end of your watch every day, ask yourself, “did I do my best?” Then go home and enjoy your family. Tomorrow you will have still another opportunity.
Chaplain Bud