"Always Inspection Ready!"

I recently participated in a three-day training event for Illinois State Police chaplains. It is a privilege to serve alongside thirty volunteer chaplains throughout the state. We serve the commanders, troopers, and public as needed for support, ceremonial functions, and during emergency crises. While we train online quarterly, we have not been able to meet in-person since the Pandemic. This return to normal is what made this gathering a little more special!

Bedding Perfection!

This event was an important time of team building, classroom discussion, CPR recertification, and touring by van to the various ISP facilities that included central command downtown, the training academy near Chatham and the Pawnee shooting range where we saw a demonstration of the elite K9’s and their trainers in action, and also a demo of the precision driving required to navigate the Emergency Vehicle Operation’s course.

We also toured the cadet barracks at the academy and observed their regimented para-military culture up close. Training a state trooper involves an extensive process of classroom study and physical endurance training over a period of twenty-seven weeks. The goal is to build the best equipped law enforcement team of troopers who will exemplify the values in the ISP motto: “Integrity, Service, and Pride!”

"Loan Me a Quarter!" 😉
Several of our chaplain participants said the Pawnee field trip was the high point for them. Others commented about how they appreciated seeing how AI is being used to train cadets in dealing with individuals in volatile situations. As a “neat freak,” I personally appreciated seeing the discipline required of the cadets in their day-to-day chores like making their beds with exactness and precision.

Growing up, I was spoiled and didn’t make my own bed until I was well into the teenage years. Even if allowed, my mom wouldn’t have thought that my humble efforts were perfect enough! However, when I went away to college, I had to learn how to do my own laundry. As I washed and remade my bedding each week, I wanted to make my bed just like mom did!

During that recent tour of the cadet barracks, I witnessed a lesson in bedding perfection!  I have never seen a mattress with a more tightly stretched sheet and blanket along with four perfectly squared and tautly wrapped corners! I turned to one of my chaplain friends and remarked, “Loan me a quarter. I want to try a bounce demonstration!” The trooper leading our tour explained this elevated level of commitment to excellence. “Always Inspection Ready!” is the ISP standard!

As believers, we know that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to return someday visibly and dramatically. The Bible regards this global event as the Second Coming. “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see Him.” (Revelation 1:7, NLT). We do not know when Christ will come back, but many of us believe that day could be very soon!

How do we get ready for Christ’s return? 1.) Repent of your sin and receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior! 2.) Join a community of faith and live a life that is pleasing to the Lord! 3.) Anticipate Christ’s coming but continue to serve Him faithfully!

While you train your eyes toward the sky, be sure to consider this urgent warning: “Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’ Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.” (Romans 14:10b-11, NLT).

May this slogan be our motivation for preparation: “Always Inspection Ready!”

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
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Serve by Design. mjkministries.com

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