Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Not a happy one

When a felon's not engaged in his employment
Or maturing his felonious little plans,
His capacity for innocent enjoyment
Is just as great as any honest man's.
Our feelings we with difficulty smother
When constabulary duty's to be done.
Ah, take one consideration with another,
A policeman's lot is not a happy one.
Ah, when constabulary duty's to be done, to be done,
A policeman's lot is not a happy one, happy one.
When the enterprising burglar's not a-burgling
When the cut-throat isn't occupied in crime,
He loves to hear the little brook a-gurgling
And listen to the merry village chime.
When the coster's finished jumping on his mother,
He loves to lie a-basking in the sun.
Ah, take one consideration with another,
A policeman's lot is not a happy one.
Ah, when constabulary duty's to be done, to be done,
A policeman's lot is not a happy one, happy one.

(Pirates of penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan)


Why is it that we constantly look down upon people who are just doing their job especially policemen. When we get caught speeding we moan and groan (myself included) about Police fundraising when we are actually breaking the law, We condemn them for being heavy handed when arresting people not remember that it is their lives on the line. We criticise their every move. But as a Christian what is to be our response.

Col 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Tit 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

Rom 13:1-7 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Personally i wouldn't like to be a policeman- umpiring is hard enough. But how about we respect those who make such sacrifices to keep us safe.

1 comment:

Leah said...

I agree.

However some policemen are a bit dishonest in the way they catch people (even if those people are breaking the law). While I usually wouldn't fault cops for hiding speed traps, there are rules in place saying that they must be marked, so when a cop hides his car and is unmarked, he is breaking regulations too.