Backup

  I was recently watching a show that gave the chilling scene. It was dashcam footage of a police officer making a seemingly routine traffic stop.  The officer, after asking to man to step outside the vehicle and go to the safer side of the highway, begins to ask some routine questions. The man’s response is odd given the situation so the officer asks if he can search him. He agrees but right as the officer looks down, the man draws a firearm and unload several rounds point-blank in the officer chest.   Because of the position of the camera, you gracefully don’t see the aftermath, yet you hear the cries of the officer for help. It was an unnerving series of events.

 However, the officer did have a great advantage. He had backup. As soon as he goes down other a dispatcher on his radio hears his cry. Other officers in the area are alerted. Quickly one arrives and starts immediate aid. More arrive and secure the area. Others search for the suspect. The police on the scene realize time is of the essence so they load the wounded man in their care and rush him to hospital.  He not only survives but the man that did this heinous act is caught.

An outcome they could only have happened because there was someone watching out for him.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17 

 The church functions in the same manner. Routine life can turn spiritual shootout in a heartbeat. Without some watching over us, it can be easy to get caught in temptation and spiritual danger without anyone to help us.

 That why we should be so thankful for our leaders. It might seem at times to be easier to go it alone. Less hassle, fewer rules, less compromise. However, do we really want to be alone when evil strikes with someone we trust to watch our back?  

 There are evil men, dangerous diversion and snares of every sort out there. Don’t try to go it alone.