My immediate reaction to today's theme, "laws and legal systems," is to slam on the brakes and retreat to a healthy distance. I have flashbacks of overzealous, intimidating policemen approaching in my rear view mirror through the glare of their high beams to slap me with a speeding ticket. My hands quivered then and even now at the memory.
Maintaining law and order has been alternatively dubbed "Keeping the Peace" on squad cars in more than one American town. Now peace, that is a different matter. My hands stop quaking at that thought. I crave peace.
My understanding of peace was dramatically enhanced after doing Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself Bible study on the fruit of the Spirit. She summarized how Patience waits; Joy cometh; Love never fails; and Peace rules. In other words, when the Prince of Peace, our Savior Jesus is on the throne, there is peace. Whether he rules in our hearts, homes, nations, or worlds, His authority is what brings about peace. The increase of His government accompanies the increase of peace. He himself is our peace. (Ephesians 2:13-14)
That model is in operation in at least one small town in West Virginia where the blogging father of an adopted son with autism works his beat. Read Greg Lucas' incredible example and weep at the tenderness of how he intuitively and appropriately keeps the peace. With no weapons or sirens, he restores order in the name of Jesus as much as the power vested in him by the state of West Virginia.
His other blog, Defending Mayberry, is aptly named as he has the wisdom and humility of Andy Griffith, in any number of reruns but this one in particular about crime. I pray for more like Greg Lucas in our legal system with compassion, insight, and self-restraint for every circumstance.
April 5
Laws and Legal Systems
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us." (Isaiah 33:22, NIV)
"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD." (Proverbs 21:30, NIV)
Pray that the Lord’s heart toward the weak would be reflected in the laws written to protect those with autism.
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