A Calling - The White Stone

What is your calling? 

Consider this verse from Revelations 2: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” 

George Macdonald, a man who had a significant influence in the life of C.S. Lewis, wrote about this passage.“The giving of the white stone with the new name is the communication of what God thinks about the man to the man…The true name is one which expresses the character, the nature, the meaning of the person who bears it. It is man’s own symbol – his soul’s picture, in a word – the sign which belongs to him and no one else.” George Macdonald: An Anthology by C.S. Lewis

I think the giving of the white stone is our calling. This story is about my call to be a police officer.

I was a sophomore at Westmont College in the Spring of 1984. It was my first semester at Westmont and I was in the midst of trying to figure out what I was going to do as a career. I was a business major but did not connect with the course work. I wanted to serve others but I was at a loss trying to discover how my desire to connect with people translated to a job. This would all change in the gym at Westmont in one moment.

A theologian, Dr. Francis Schaefer, was on campus giving a series of lectures. The significance of his appearance was that he was suffering from cancer and this was likely one of his last public appearances. It turned out that he would pass away a few months later. I was curious to hear what Dr. Schaefer had to say and decided to attend his evening lecture in the college gymnasium. This was out of character for me as I was more interested in hanging out than engaging in academic life.

I was surprised to find the gym packed. The stadium bleachers were pulled out on both sides and the basketball court was filled with chairs. I took a seat on the home side of the bleachers. I remember looking out over the crowd and saw Dr. Schaefer was seated on stage. He was accompanied by his son Frankie Schaefer Jr. and it was Frankie who facilitated the lecture. It was during Frankie's comments that a defining moment happened.

Frankie was talking about living a life of faith. In the midst of his comments he said: “What we need in the United States today are more Christian police officers.”

His words rang out to me so clearly. In that moment, I knew where God was leading me. I was called. I began my journey as a police officer in 1988. June will mark 24 years in law enforcement. It was my white stone.