Officer Gideon

Is God calling you to do something REALLY different right now? Are you watching to see how that calling unfolds in your life? Consider that in every Gospel account, Jesus tells us to watch, be ready and act: Matthew 25 - Jesus tells the parable of the ten women who watched for the bridegroom. Mark 13 - Jesus calls us to watch and be ready for the return of the master of the house. Luke 12 - Jesus tells us to be dressed, ready for service. John 1 - Jesus calls of the first disciples who were all watching and ready to go into action. As followers of Christ, we can be called to service at any time, and that call can dramatically change the course of our lives. For the Aspland family, 2003 proved to be a course changer for everyone.

In March 2003, I was a police lieutenant assigned to the Chief’s staff in Santa Barbara. I represented the Department at community functions, served as the Public Information Officer to the press and managed day watch officers. I met with the Chief almost daily and one afternoon, he asked me what I wanted to do before I retired. I told him I wanted to be a Chief of Police.

I went to work the next morning and in my mailbox was a job flyer for a Deputy Police Chief position in Monterey, California. The Chief attached a note that read, “I’m not trying to get rid of you, but you should really consider this.”

What? Leave Santa Barbara? Move the family? Lateral to another department? This was not something I had ever considered. Police officers moved to different departments but not police lieutenants. This was a big deal.

I walked to the Chief’s office and he told me that if I wanted to be a police chief, I needed to move up. He said that there would not be an opening in Santa Barbara for at least five years and I was ready for a command position now. I was humbled at his confidence in me and distracted all day as I considered what could be. I drove home that evening and said a pray somewhere between Santa Barbara and Oxnard. I was very specific, “God, if you want me to pursue this, Margie will say to go for it.” I arrived home and after things got settled, I showed Margie the announcement. The first words out of her mouth,”Go for it.”

Wait a minute. Did she just say that? Now I read carefully through the announcement. I met all of the qualifications except one. Applicants were required to have 18 months of management experience. I had 13.

The next morning as I drove to work, I had another talk with God. “Ok God. If you want me to do this, the 18 months experience won't matter.” I arrived at work and walked into the Chief’s office with the announcement in hand. “Sir, I talked this over with Margie and she said to go for it but the job announcement required 18 months of management experience and I only have 13.” The Chief’s response, “That won’t matter.”

Are you kidding? Should I really be surprised? He immediately picked up the telephone and called the Police Chief in Monterey. One week later, Margie and I drove up to Monterey to meet him. A few months after that, I was competing against 18 other candidates for the position. In August, I interviewed as one of two finalists. I got offered the job that afternoon. On September 29, 2003, I was sworn in as the new Deputy Police Chief for the City of Monterey.

There is no doubt in my mind that God called us to Monterey. I did not have to watch for the signs; the Lord put them right in front of me. The story of Gideon in Judges 6 tells about how one man listened to God’s call, watched (and asked) for signs and then beat back an army of thousands with only 300 men. I was given a much smaller glimpse of how God works through us when we watch, trust and act. What is God calling you to do today?

Speeders

In Matthew 5: 14-15, Jesus calls us to be the light of the world. At work, we accomplish this by doing the best job we can, recognizing that our faith shines in our performance. Our willingness to bring our best creates opportunities to share the hope within us that surpasses all understanding. In this story, what started as a citizen complaint about speeders became the foundation for a friendship and a reconnection to Christian fellowship.

In my role as a police executive, I am called on to meet with community leaders to talk about criminal activity, public safety and community policing. In 2004, the police chief asked me to meet with a neighborhood association president to talk about traffic safety concerns. This particular neighborhood president had a very “persuasive” personality and was rather persistent when he wanted to discuss important issues impacting his neighborhood. President Bruce (no connection to the shark but he is an attorney and an accountant) and I met at a local café to have a cup of coffee and talk about the issues.

Bruce got right to the point about traffic safety in his neighborhood. He had detailed statistics on traffic accidents and citations. He presented his own analysis of all the data. I offered my insights from a police perspective explaining the difference between perception and actual safety issues. We discussed the concerns and ended the meeting understanding the level of service the police could provide. I gave him a business card and told him to contact me directly when he had issues to discuss.

Bruce took me up on my offer, and over the next three years, I would get an e-mail request or telephone call for a meeting every three months or so. The café where we first met became our conference room. As time passed, we began to get to know each other. We talked about our families, our life experiences and how we viewed the world. A professional relationship became a friendship. We joked about this because I figured that since he was going to keep bugging me for meetings, we might as well be friends!

In 2007, near the end of summer, Bruce and I got together for our quarterly update. I don’t remember what the public safety issue of the day was, but toward the end of our meeting, Bruce said that he had something personal and important to ask me. His tone and manner were very serious. This dialogue was very different than any of the previous meetings.

He began by complimenting me on being a “man of faith.” He then shared that he wanted to get reconnected to his faith and he asked me for advice on the best way to do it. I did not expect that question. Over the years, I told Bruce that I was a Christian and went to church. It was more informational than anything. I am not one to push what I believe, but I make no secret that I am a follower of Christ. Bruce saw something different in me and trusted me with where he was in his spiritual journey.

Here is the best part. I was leading a weekly bible study at lunch and looking for people to join the group. This gathering of men was for the the purpose of checking in with one another over a meal and to discuss a passage of scripture. I told Bruce about the group and invited him to participate. He agreed. We continue to meet every week and Bruce is one of the most consistent members. For Bruce, it started with a complaint about speeding cars, the persistence of a lawyer and a willingness to ask for advice. For me, I showed up to the coffee meetings and God took care of the rest!