Police Chaplain's Corner: In Hot Pursuit of Truth
/In Hot Pursuit
By: Chris Amos
When I look back over my 26+ year career as a police officer, I am reminded of a lot of highs and a low or two or three … Sprinkled in between were a few heart-racing, palms sweating, hair standing up on the back of my neck moments of sheer fear. Without fail the worst, most dire, “this is how I’m going to die” memories all involved vehicle pursuits, specifically the pursuits in which I was riding shotgun. There is something about being a passenger in a pursuit that is not very comforting. Throw in a partner who is experiencing a major adrenaline dump and you have the recipe for disaster. I remember one specific pursuit more than any other.
I was a rookie at the time in 1988. My field training officer, a Vietnam War vet, was going through an ugly divorce and uglier custody battle. Looking back now, I think he believed he would rather die a hero in the line of duty than live the dumpster fire his life was quickly turning into. Sadly, his reckless behavior and tombstone courage would cost him his job and eventually his very life, as he would commit suicide by cop in a neighboring state. A tragic end to a very troubled life. For the sake of this article, I’ll refer to him as simply Bob.
Bob was driving as we heard another unit on the other side of our sector in pursuit of a stolen vehicle. To those of you who may be new to law enforcement, there was actually a time when officers were allowed to pursue criminals. My, how times have changed. Bob immediately activated our lights and sirens and in his “throw caution to the wind” approach set out to cut off the stolen vehicle as it weaved its way in and out of traffic getting closer to us by the second. Bob made a sharp left turn at a high rate of speed onto West 35th Street from Colley Avenue. How he didn’t end up in my lap is a mystery to this day. An unexpected consequence of Bob's driving was my suddenly aerodynamic clipboard. It literally flew past my eyes and out my open window. Bob slammed on the brakes; I bailed out of the car to retrieve what only seconds earlier had been a brand-new clipboard. I jumped back in and off we went the engine screaming as Bob floored the accelerator. By the grace of God, the suspect got to 35th St. and Colonial Avenue about 5 seconds before we did. Had it not been for my runaway clipboard we would have been in the direct path of a stolen vehicle flipping end over end almost six times before coming to rest against a brick apartment building. The suspect, walked away from the scene, in handcuffs of course, but he did walk away. Had my clipboard not taken a massive beating, I am absolutely convinced I would have. I laugh about that story now, but at the time, not so much.
I’d like to share an epic divine pursuit that has been ongoing for 6,000 years give or take. In this pursuit, you and I are being pursued rather than doing the pursuing. Let me explain:
1) God Walked with Man
The Bible begins with God’s Creation of the heavens and the earth. He creates Adam and Eve. I believe this to have actually happened and not to be symbolic, leaving folks room to come to their own interpretations. Anyway, as the story goes, Adam and Eve sinned or broke God’s law. And with that, the pursuit begins. We read in Genesis 3:8 that upon committing their sin, Adam and Eve hid from God as He came walking in the Garden in the cool of the day. So the first recorded account of God’s interaction with the human race is that of Him walking with Adam and Eve from time to time while not in Heaven. God popping in from time to time to check on His creation before returning to His Heavenly Throne. Kind of like the lieutenant on night shift, who makes an appearance from time to time.
2) God Lives with but is Separated From Man
As the generations passed, mankind became even more rebellious toward God. God would have been more than just in washing His hands of the human race as a failed experiment, but He did not. Quite the contrary, He did something truly amazing as His pursuit for the hearts and souls of His rebellious creation intensified. 2 Chronicles 7:1-2 tells us that God MOVED TO earth taking up residence in a temporary tabernacle made of cloth initially, before moving into a permanent temple made of stone. It was a love for a rebellious creation that led a loving and just God to move to this earth. He was now with His creation, but separated from them as He inhabited a part of the tabernacle/temple called the Holy of Holies. God’s presence among His people did not lead to their turning over a new leaf of faithfulness. No, like their fathers before them they rebelled, turning their backs on God.
3) God Becomes Man and Lives, Laughs, Loves, Eats, Cries, with Man
Having continued down the slippery slope of rebellion and sin, intent on self-destruction, God refused to give up on those who had given up on Him. God’s pursuit of His creation went next level when He took on flesh and blood and was birthed by the Virgin Mary. God became man, His name Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus Christ 100% God and 100% man. John 3:16 tells us God so loved the world that He would send His son Jesus Christ to give His life on an executioner’s cross to pay the price, the penalty for our sins. Don’t miss that, God became a man named Jesus and Jesus lived with mankind, not separated from them in any way. The God-man Jesus ate with His followers; He laughed, cried, and traveled with this ragtag group of disciples throughout Israel. What would you be willing to sacrifice in pursuit of people who hated you, denied your very existence, and mocked you at every turn? God was willing to sacrifice everything, to include the life of His only begotten Son. He was repaid by His creation with a sentence of death by crucifixion, at least that is what His creation thought they were doing, not realizing it was all a part of God’s pursuit for the hearts and souls of mankind.
4) God Moves into the Temple of Man’s Heart
What more could God do in His pursuit of men and women, like you and I? 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20 tells us the next level God took. “Christ IN you”. God the Father has taken up residence inside the very lives of those who put their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. For that man or woman, their very bodies become the living temple of God in which the Holy Spirit now resides.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says that He stands at the door of our heart and knocks. Anyone who opens the door to his or her life and invites Jesus in as Savior and Lord, He promises to enter in, and take up residence in the form of the Holy Spirit. Promising to never leave nor forsake those who put their trust in Him.
Bottom line is simply, Revelation 3:20 tells us God is in pursuit of each and every one of us to an extent we can’t fully comprehend. We have either been caught by Him having chosen to pull over and throw our arms up in the air and surrender. Or we can continue to run. If you are still being pursued, I’d encourage you to pull over, take the keys out of the ignition, and surrender. I can promise you it will be the best decision you have ever made. Take care, be safe, and I hope to see you at the finish line.
Chris Amos is a retired officer and former spokesperson for the Norfolk Virginia Police Department. He is currently the pastor at Chr1st Fellowship Church in Norfolk. He is married for over 30 years and is the proud father of three children, two of whom are police officers. He serves as the volunteer Chaplain for Norfolk Police Dept. and Norfolk Sheriff’s Office.
