<strong>A few months before he was killed in the line of duty, Memphis Police Officer Timothy Warren made a YouTube video expressing his deep internal struggle between his “Two Paths” – between a Christian “life of service, compassion, seeking and forbearance” and a life in “police authority, command and governance.”
“Which path to follow?” Officer Warren said.
How would you respond to Officer Warren’s questions?</strong>

We all have gifts. Officer Warren’s was clearly service. As a police officer it is ingrained that the job is “to serve and protect” the innocent. As a Christian it is ingrained “to Love Thy Neighbor.” So it’s no wonder that he felt conviction in his line of work.

But, what I think Officer Warren may have not fully realized was how much he served God while doing his job here on earth. To a criminal, he seemed like an unforgiving persecutor. But recently, at his funeral, there were many, many stories of how he quietly helped the homeless find shelter; stories about how he had a heart for the neglected and downtrodden and how he went out of his way to help them.

Did he give speeding tickets? I am quite sure. Did he arrest people? I would certainly assume so. These were part of his sworn duties as a Memphis Police Officer. His job wasn’t to be a judge…his job was to enforce the law. And he did a fine job. He also served God by serving his fellow man. Jesus once said “By helping the least of these, you helped Me.”

I think Officer Warren did his earthly job morally and ethically, with integrity and honesty. I also think he will hear the words he longed for…”Well done, good and faithful servant.”