But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).
Reflections from 21 Years in Law Enforcement
The Journey of a K9 Handler
2024 marks 21 years as a Law Enforcement Officer here in the great state of Louisiana. In 2012, I began my journey as a K9 Handler. Being a K9 Handler, for me, is the most rewarding work in Law Enforcement. I enjoy when my dog finds the narcotics that we were called out to search for. Or, locate the individual we were tracking for a serious criminal offense.
Understanding Change of Behavior (COB)
Part of being a K9 Handler is you have to learn to read your dog. When a dog is in odor, whether drugs or a bad guy, the dog has certain reactions to that odor. In our line of work, we call that a COB or Change Of Behavior.
During his search for odor the dog will open his mouth from time to time, which is the natural way a dog breathes. But when the dog gets in the odor that he is searching for, he closes his mouth and sucks in more air through his nose. That is where his olfactory glands are, where the odor is processed. When he does this, you can normally hear that change happen. You can actually hear him sucking in more air. This is normally the first of many indications that he is in odor.
The next thing you may notice is that the dog has a change in body posture. The dog may get lower to the ground or go up high on his hind legs, depending on where the source of the odor is and the odor’s movement. The dog’s tail may become stiff or wag differently. The dog will start trying to trace or follow that odor to its source. You will notice the dog’s movement has become more intense, with more purpose trying to locate that source of the odor.
And finally, once the source is located the dog comes to a final response. For narcotics it is normally a passive indication which is indicated by a sit. For the apprehension, well, it normally ends with the bad guy screaming in pain. To be a good Handler you must learn your dog’s COB.
As you grow in your career as a K9 Handler it gets easier to read your dog. You know pretty quickly when your dog is in odor. You know his COB.
A Believer’s Change of Behavior
As a Believer in Christ, there should be a change in the way you walk, talk and live as you seek out the Lord and draw nearer to Him. My Pastor always says “Something as big as the Holy Spirit of God moves into you, there should definitely be some big changes in your life”. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) the Bible says:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
You see, before you were a Believer in Christ, you walked, talked, thought and acted like the world. The Enemy of God had you blinded to the things of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). But when you were saved and the Holy Spirit now took up residence in you, you were made a new creature.
living as salt and light
Does the world see, by your actions, that you are a new creature, a follower of Christ?
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.. – 1 John 2:6 (KJV)
The Lord knows our heart, but does the world know it? Can they look at you and say to themselves, “There is something different about him or her; I want to know what that is”? The world CAN know our heart, by the way we live our life (our Actions and Words) — our COB!
You may say, “I am not living my life in a way that shows my heart for Christ to the world.” I understand we battle our flesh daily. I encourage you, the believer, that if you are not seeking out the Lord and living for Him as you should be, let today be the day that you start living for Him. God’s mercies are anew every day (Lamentations 3:22-23).
As Christ followers, we are to be the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt makes you thirst, and light shows the way! Let the world see your COB and let your light shine for the Lord. Point others to the Source of Eternal Life (John 3:16) and the Peace which passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). God Bless!
The Book of Daniel is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Chapter 6 is full of lessons that are applicable to our own lives. Let’s look at a few, shall we?
Lesson #1: Serve God, Not Man
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. – Colossians 3:23
Anything we do in this life should be done as unto the Lord and not man. Daniel practiced this all throughout his life, and God blessed him for that. Even in a strange land, Daniel stayed faithful to the Lord. Daniel purposed in his heart (Daniel 1:8) to stay faithful to the Lord, and by doing this, he wound up in a very high position of authority.
If we are faithful to the Lord and seek His will for our lives, He will be faithful in His blessings upon us. Let’s purpose in our hearts as Daniel did.
Lesson #2: Expect Opposition When Serving the Lord
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
When we try to live for the Lord and serve Him faithfully, the enemy (the devil and this world) doesn’t like that. He will attack you and try to destroy your testimony for the Lord.
That’s what the men in verses 3 and 4 did to Daniel. They “sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom” but couldn’t because he stayed faithful to the Lord and lived a God-honoring life. Knowing that Daniel would be faithful to the Lord, they formulated the decree that was brought to the king.
Do all things without murmurings disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. – Philippians 2:14-15
Lesson #3: Think Before You Act
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. – Proverbs 13:16
In verses 6-8, the presidents and princes assembled together unto King Darius and presented the decree. In verses 2-3, the Bible says that Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes. King Darius actually set him over the whole realm.
King Darius had to have known Daniel well enough to know that he served the Lord and was faithful to Him, that he wouldn’t have been able to follow that decree. If King Darius hadn’t been so quick to sign the decree, then he wouldn’t have had to put Daniel in the den of lions in the first place.
The Bible says that when the king heard that Daniel was accused of going against the decree, he was “sore displeased with himself.” The king regretted what he had done. All this could have been avoided had he paused, given some thought as to why a decree like that would be needed, and questioned the men who brought it before him.
Before we make any decision, let’s pause, think, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Lesson #4: Be Steadfast in Your Walk with Christ
Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught. – 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Daniel, knowing that the decree was signed, went home, kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, giving thanks before his God as he did aforetime.
Even though Daniel knew the consequences for his actions, he went home and did what he had been doing all along. We, as believers, no matter what the situation—whether good or bad—should continue praying, reading the Bible, and being faithful to the Lord. Our circumstances should not determine our commitment to the Lord.
Lesson #5: Trust God in Life’s Lions’ Dens
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
In Verse 16, Daniel gets thrown into the den of lions. He didn’t try to put up a fight. He didn’t protest his innocence.
Life is not fair. Bad things happen to good people. Matthew 5:45 reminds us that it rains on the just and the unjust. In our own den of lions, we need to trust in the Lord and allow Him to work in our lives.
Lesson #6: Be a Light for the Lord
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16
In verses 25-27, King Darius, after seeing God deliver Daniel from the lions’ mouths and Daniel give glory to God, made another decree praising the God of Daniel.
Jesus said it best: we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Daniel stayed faithful to God and was a bright and shining witness for the Lord. Let’s be a great witness for Jesus!
“And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart…”
Deuteronomy 8:2
The wilderness is a great teacher. Its lessons are rarely pleasant, but they are always effective. God has used wilderness as a teaching tool for all of human history. Adam and Eve were taken out of the garden, and put into the wilderness. The patriarchs all walked through seasons of wilderness. Moses went through 2 seasons of wilderness. David had to flee into the wilderness. Even Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tested…
As a first responder, you may not find yourself surrounded by trees and wildlife, you may be stationed downtown in a metropolis, but you are familiar with wilderness. I worked as a paramedic for 10 years before going into vocational ministry. I know well the long 24-hour shifts away from home, missing important family moments, and being confronted with the worst of humanity day after day after day. This is where burnout lives. This is where our Kingdom witness falters. But the Lord is sovereign, and the Lord uses seasons of wilderness. In Deuteronomy 8:2, God isn’t learning, He is teaching us what is in our hearts. What is most important to us? Where do we look for peace, joy, satisfaction?
If we are looking to anything, or anyone, other than Jesus – We will not have peace, joy, or satisfaction.
Jeff Richardson
Dallas Willard says this: “Human desire is infinite by its nature. You must take your stand against it because you cannot satisfy it. Desire is infinite partly because we were made by God, made for God, made to need God, and made to run on God. We can be satisfied only by the one who is infinite, eternal, and able to supply all our needs; we are only at home in God. When we are distanced from God, the desire for the infinite remains, but it is displaced upon things that will certainly lead to destruction” God uses those seasons of suffering, those long shifts, those terrible calls, those difficult partners to teach us where we still are looking for satisfaction somewhere besides Him.
I felt called to the ministry for 5 years before I was brought on staff at our church. That was 5 long years of knowing where God wanted me, and still working on an ambulance. Years of frustration with ‘frequent flyers’, DUI fatalities, and pediatric codes. It was also 5 years of the Lord teaching me that my identity was as a chosen royal priest: not just a medic. 5 years of learning that my ambulance was a mission field. 5 years of learning how to be content in the wilderness, by learning how to be content in Christ. Even though my job wasn’t what I wanted.
David wrote Psalm 63 from the wilderness. I encourage you to go read it.
David had been anointed (called) as the next king of Israel but had not been crowned yet. Instead of a coronation, he was given exile- he was forced into a season of wilderness by the current king who wanted to kill him. Despite his circumstances, David is able to write, “My soul is satisfied.” His soul was satisfied in the worst of circumstances, in the wilderness: because he was seeking the Lord. He was not seeking the kingship, the kingdom, the riches, the power, the women, the fame. He wanted God more than all of that. And you know what? The Lord was there with David and satisfied his soul.
This season of wilderness is not for nothing. Paul says it is working an eternal weight of glory. It has purpose. Don’t convince yourself you are a victim. Don’t try to rush the Lord’s time. Don’t try to medicate your suffering with other things. Instead: change your desire. Seek the Lord earnestly, completely. You can always have Him, and He will satisfy you like nothing else, no matter your circumstances. Find your identity in Christ alone. You will not find true and lasting satisfaction anywhere else in this world.
There are a multitude of reasons people pursue a career as a first responder. Whether to be a Police Officer, Corrections Deputy, Firefighter, or other; for many of us it starts off by answering a call to service. Whether that call comes from a loved one to follow in their footsteps, a member of our community asking us to give back, or just the excitement a career in that field can offer, nonetheless, a call was made, and we answered. And after the months-long hiring process finally reaches its pinnacle and we receive that coveted ‘conditional offer of hire’, one of the first things we’re given is a badge. It’s held up in ceremonial fashion and pinned to our uniform on our chest above our left pocket as if it was always meant to be there. There’s handshaking, and clapping, and pictures being taken, and smiles, and hugs, and it’s an unforgettable experience. Our family is proud and so are we.
In the Beginning
Then it’s off to the academy where we train and study day and night, night and day for months on end. Bringing our minds and bodies into subjection in order to become the best version of ourselves possible so we may bring the utmost honor and respect to the name on that badge. And with that in mind, they cut the cord and set us free. “Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed”, we pin that badge to our uniforms and set off with honorable intentions and a cutthroat allegiance to the job and to the men and women who wear the same badge we do. The same men and women we will soon call ‘brothers and sisters’. Because you see, not long into our careers we find ourselves spending more time with those ‘brothers and sisters’ than our own family members. More than our own wives, our own husbands, our own sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, moms, and dads. Chasing overtime, in-service training, writing reports, testifying in court, special assignments, special training, critical incidents, promotions, callouts, you name it. But it’s exciting! We’re honing our craft and fine-tuning our skills every step of the way. And it’s the call we answered. And it’s the same call our ‘brother and sisters’ answered.
That’s the reason we don’t complain to our peers when we get held back on overtime for the third or fourth time that week; because our ‘brothers and sisters’ have worked the same overtime shifts we have. We stay professional, keep our composure and our resolve remains strong. And so, the years go by and we earn stripes on our sleeves. As first responders, we’re constantly putting out fires, both literally and figuratively. And we take pride in our skills and ability to handle situations under immense pressure. In fact, going through a critical incident becomes a badge of honor and a sort of twisted way of validating our own skill set to our peers. Those who haven’t experienced that next-level critical incident in their careers are usually viewed negatively by others. “Their mettle hasn’t been tested yet”, and “their soft,” we say. The more battle-worn we are, the more unspoken respect we seem to get from our peers and the more validation we give ourselves that we’re solid, and thus keep advancing forward. And so, we run into burning buildings, towards the sound of gunfire, or into a disruptive unit. Meticulously evaluating the scene, instinctively assessing threats, and intercepting danger without regard to our own well-being.
A New Name
We continue the grind and work hard to provide for our families and keep our communities safe. We work to bring honor to the name on our uniform. In fact, we work in a culture that freely gives out plenty of names. Some of which we really don’t care for, others that boost our egos maybe too much. We give “nicknames” to our colleagues. The closer we are to those individuals the more personal, however odd, those aliases can be. As George MacDonald put it, “The only names which have significance are those which the popular judgement or prejudice or humour bestows, either for ridicule or honour…” (Unspoken Sermons, p.40). The name we are all called by, notably more so with nicknames (regardless of if we want to answer to it or not), has an intimate relation to who we really are, or better yet, who we are seen to be in the eyes of those who give us that name.
Those names have real meanings that symbolize our past experiences and who we’re seen to be. Things we did and things we said. They personify something that the people who give us those names wish to draw out of us. Even if only in confidence, they hear the name out loud, but it’s kept a mystery to those outside our inner circle making it even more personal. Whether for ridicule or honor, those are the names that have significance. Those are the names that slowly shape us, like it or not, into something or someone else we didn’t see coming. It’s the name that becomes part of our identity. They create a facade. A guise that, at a certain point, we feel we must uphold and defend at all costs, right or wrong. Sooner or later, however, the constant state of mind that we must maintain to keep ourselves and those around us safe takes hold. There’s no “on and off switch” anymore. It’s just always ON. What’s more, the only name or rather identity that eventually matters isn’t the one on our nameplate, stitched to our uniform, or the name we went by from our childhood. Not even the nickname our partner calls us anymore. It’s the name engraved on our left chest above our shirt pocket… Officer… Deputy… Sergeant… Chief… One way or another, sooner or later, it becomes not just a name but rather our identity. An identity behind the badge. An identity that we often struggle with. One that, if our identity isn’t rooted in the right place before we start our careers, will surely take over indeed. But we’ve worked hard, and we like this job. It’s fun and exciting. Some of us are even drawn to the dangers of the job. So, we keep training and press on.
The Toll it Takes
We’re trained to uphold the law, enforce rules, investigate, respond, and save lives. We’re trained to do all these things and get very good at them by doing them day in and day out. By constantly extinguishing the little fires we’re also preparing ourselves for when the “big one” hits. But when the “BIG ONE” comes, and it will come, it inevitably leaves an impression behind on our heart and soul that changes us forever. Over the course of a career, we will encounter many, many critical incidents and there is never really much time to recover or cope in a healthy manner. In between the overtimes, the trainings, the special “this and that’s”, and the “oh don’t forget about your family’s”, we rarely take or have the time to reflect, to be still and cope with the critical incidents. We can’t talk to our families because we know they won’t understand. For the same reasons we won’t confide in our colleagues about stress or overtime, we also won’t confide in them when something inside of us is off.
It’s our pride. And our pride defines us. As Type-A personalities, we’re reluctant to acknowledge something our culture views as a weakness: asking for help in moments of genuine struggle. This stubborn pride becomes a barrier. Our foolish pride gets in the way, and we refuse to ask for help. Even among our closest allies—those we share the most challenging moments with, those with whom we hold the line and run into danger, THOSE WE’D LAY OUR LIVES DOWN FOR—we find it difficult to break through this barrier and seek the support we truly need.
So, we retreat. But not from danger! We retreat from ourselves back behind the badge and assume the identity we’ve been so, so good at upholding. Years continue to pass us by and the overtime, trainings, and specials’ continue and we become someone our peers admire for it. We’re “SOLID” or “HARD”. But the real truth is we’re trapped. We’ve been slapped with the golden handcuffs and some of us are masters of a skillset we’ve been told is practically useless outside of our current field. Someone once told me, “We’re really good at keeping it all together… until we’re not.” The inner conflict finally boils over and we come to a point where our loved ones don’t even recognize us anymore. The evil we’ve been keeping at bay all these years is all we can see in the world anymore. We’re hyper vigilant, hyper controlling, hyper pessimistic, have trouble with anger, possess zero desire to be a part of our community anymore and are jaded to boot. Although things at work may look first-class, we’ve lost our identity.
Who Are You?
As Christians, this identity behind the badge is often completely contradictory to how we’re called to live our lives as followers of Jesus. We need to train ourselves in a new light. We need to consider ourselves servants to the Lord, not the badge. Discipline our bodies and bring them into subjection (1 Cor. 9:27) for a new purpose and a new calling. A calling where we strive for an imperishable crown (1 Cor. 9:25), not brass on our collar or chevrons on our sleeves.
Whether you’ve been a follower of Christ your entire life, just recently saved, or have yet to walk in faith, I implore you to hear me, “YOUR IDENTITY MUST BE IN CHRIST!”
When our identity is in the hands of Jesus, we know where we can go to cry out. We know who we can lean on and who we can speak to without fear of judgment, recourse, or retaliation. Our credibility won’t be at risk when we get on our knees and pray. We know who to look to as an example of how we should be living our lives. When we willingly submit to obedience and our identity is in Him, we can approach the throne and lay all things at the feet of our Lord and know that when we are seeking His Kingdom first, everything we need will be provided (NKJV, 2018, Matthew 6:33).
The Book of Revelation 2: 17 says, “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it” (NKJV, 2018). Manna is food. During their 40 years in the wilderness, God miraculously provided a supply of manna, or food, to the Israelites when there was none. The hidden manna referred to is a symbol of God’s word. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (NKJV, 2018, Matthew 4:4). When our identity is in Jesus, we can overcome this world and God will give us all the sustenance we will ever need.
The white stone is a symbolic expression of our freedom in Christ. Thousands of years ago when someone was tried for a crime and acquitted, they were given a white stone as a representation of their innocence. White stones were often gifted to gladiators who were victorious in battle. It was also used as a ticket to gain admission into events. Immanuel means “God with us”. God is surely with us, but we still must put in the work. It comes down to our acceptance of His free gift of grace and the acknowledgment of the work done by Jesus Christ on the cross. We only get this “ticket” because of what Christ did for us. So we must train in a new way. With the same sense of duty and cutthroat allegiance, we had early in our careers through disciplining ourselves by way of prayer, reading scripture, and fasting.
Once we make a conscious decision to not lean on our own understanding but to trust in the Lord with all our heart (NKJV, 2018, Proverbs 3:5) we are able to overcome this world and overcome the obstacles of our career. Overcome suffering, overcome pain, overcome the unknown. And to those who hold the line steadfast and do not lose heart, we are rewarded. Not in the end but in the “New” beginning, with all the sustenance we’ve ever needed directly from God our Father and with the gift of freedom in a new name etched on a white stone. Let us become who we are seen to be through the eyes of our Lord, NOT the eyes of this world. The name that God spoke us forth to be before the Heavens and Earth were formed. The name that God foreknew us into existence before we were created. The name we as Christians strive to be in our walk with Jesus. Our real name. Our true name. The only name of real significance we’ve ever had or will ever have. The name that truly symbolizes who we are and where we’ve been. One that illustrates all the suffering, pain, sorrow, loss, disappointment, confusion, happiness, joy, elation, fun, pleasure, cheer, comfort, and love we’ve ever endured. Honoring all our memories, past experiences, relationships, and decisions we’ve ever made, culminating in a triumphant entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. The name that reflects our relationship in the body of Christ and as children of God the Father.
So, to this I leave you with two questions. The first, ‘Where does your identity rest?’ Behind the badge on your cleanly pressed uniform. Or in the loving arms of the One who always has and always will carry you and never forsake you? My next question is ‘What name will you answer to?’ An endearing name from your childhood; perhaps the last name on an embroidered patch or nameplate that you pin to that same uniform. Maybe the nickname your buddies on shift gave you after that crazy incident. Or rather, will you answer to the name given to you before time started? A name you worked hard to earn through a life of perseverance in failures and victories. The name that God knew you could become, knew you would become. The only name of value or significance you’ll ever go by. The new name that only you and God know written on the white stone. The name God spoke you forth to be in this world.
