Encouragement When You Feel Unappreciated, Part 4 - CAUSE

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing one-word-encouragements in the hopes of encouraging you as you remember why you continue in this noble profession despite the daily criticisms, stresses and sacrifices. As an outsider, I can offer sincere thanks and appreciation, but only you know why you chose this profession and why YOU keep doing what you do.  When you feel unappreciated, remember you are GOOD at what you do:  because of your calling (it’s how you were created), because of your character (it’s who you are), because of your commitment (it’s what you said you would do) and because of your cause (it’s what puts action to your beliefs).

To serve and protect Arlington is a worthy cause. There are those who advocate this cause (publicly recommend or support it) and there is you who advance or defend this cause with action. A lot of people will rally around a cause, but isn’t in interesting that, the greater the cost, the smaller the group that is truly committed? And rarely do outsiders take the time to understand the sacrifices made by the committed few. It is always eye-opening to read the story of people like Fortune 500 CEOs, elite athletes or specially trained military units and others to see the price these small groups of people are willing to pay because of their belief in their cause. It’s not a weekend activity for them...it what drives them, compels them. The cause is worthy of their all.

You are the committed few who give your all for the cause of serving and protecting Arlington. You have critics “those-who-have-no-experience-doing-what-you-do-but-still-have-all-the-answers” and those that “no-matter-what-you-do-it-will-be-wrong”. Seldom do these stop to see the “wins” you make possible for Arlington nor the sacrifices you make, yet they can be very vocal.

On the days when the voices of your critics are especially loud, remember your cause represented by the thin blue line. YOU separate the good from the bad and are the bulwark between order and anarchy in society. And that line is a link that is a memorial, connection or memory between officers who advanced or defended the cause with their lives, and you who are serving today. And when you see citizens wearing the emblem, let it be a reminder of the support your community has for you...even when we don’t understand all you do for us or the toll it takes on you.    

Be encouraged by your cause...it is just and you have chosen a noble profession. 

Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

Encouragement When You Feel Unappreciated Series
Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5