In the 1993 movie Menace to Society, there was a scene that should bring a question to each of us. The movie depicts the lives of two gang bangers from Los Angeles.  They were constantly seeking the next hustle or get-over on people. The two were best friends, but were hell on their family members and friends who were trying to steer them into a right path. Sound familiar?

How many times in our day-to-day walk as police officers do we at times become more of a menace to our loved ones than the ones we apprehend?  How many of us who have been divorced more than once are still committing the same mistakes?

How’s our physical side doing? Can we still get out of the car without grunting? Worked out lately? How many trips to the fast food place? How many packs of smokes? How many beers or the hard stuff have we have had? How many aches and pains have we had that we take prescription drugs to kill the pains of life for the day?

How is our mental spirit doing? Have you taken that vacation to refresh yourself? Spend time with the family? Talked to someone other than one of your own? Learned anything new?

Attended a class to sharpen your skills? Learned how to communicate with people?

Did you remember to say the important words to your loved ones? Or did you have your “game face” on and thought you could tell them later?  How’s the job treating you now? Do still feel energized or cynical?  When was the last time you helped a citizen and boosted your?  Can you still laugh or do you always have a scowl on your face?

Now, here’s the best part. How’s your spiritual side doing? Can you still be a servant with a servant’s heart or do you feel that the citizens are there for you? Are you humbled about the calling in your life as protector of the weak or are you the “demon’ the neighborhood fears whenever your patrol unit comes by?

Do you set the example as spiritual head of the household by praying for and with your family or are you too good to do that stuff anymore? Have you a relationship with God or has life made you forget about Him? Can you worship Him or is the power of the authority that was given to you what you worship?

In the movie “Menace to Society,” there was a shootout with one of the gangbangers being hit as he lay dying; he saw his life flash before his eyes.  He saw all the ones who he had hurt and the ones he had caused problems to. They mainly consisted of his family and friends and innocent people he had robbed and stolen from. In one statement, he remembers his grandpa asking him if he cared if he lived or died.  At that time, he said he didn’t know and as his life was draining out of him his last words were this: “Yea, I do care…..But now it’s too late!”

Don’t let those be the last words coming out of your mouth. Don’t miss your chance to get it right in your soul, spirit, mind and body. Build your relationship with God and the ones who are in your life. Let people move heaven and earth to see the God in you and not fight like hell to stay away from you. In other words…Don’t be a menace to society!

Picture provided by Yvonne Griffin (firetrouble)