“Run for your life!” June had entered the living room shouting and more excited than I had seen her before. There was the normal crowd in the room gathered around the water pipe that sat on the coffee table. We were smoking hash and most of us were pretty wasted. Being so June’s announcement took awhile to register. But way too late it became apparent that the cops were on the premises and we were about to be raided. For sure it was way too late.
No more than a minute, it seemed, after June entered, three men with weapons drawn entered the room. Pushing June aside they were barking orders for everyone to sit still and keep our hands where they could be seen. Being on the sofa facing the door I was looking directly at the action but because of the drugs had little concern or comprehension what it all meant.
One of the cops moved quickly to grab the water pipe and the bag of hash that was laying on the table. The other two were yanking those across from me to their feet and binding their hands with plastic ties then lining them up against the wall, after reading each their rights. Quickly they got to me and I was processed like the others. And with confusion still reigning we were finally marched down the apartment house stairs and herded into waiting vans, vehicles we used to call ‘paddy wagons’
My head was beginning to clear and I could see most in this van were starting to get the picture also. We were under arrest and this was not going to be good for anyone in the crowd. Looking from face to face I could see just about everyone with me were in the drug business in one way or the other. At best we had a night of questions and night court ahead of us. And at worse, right now cops were tearing apart each of our apartments looking for enough evidence to put us all away for a while.
One thing I knew for sure was each one of us was trying to figure out the best ‘angle’ to get ourselves out of this. How much did the cops really know? Maybe I would have to sell someone down the river to buy my freedom. Was I going to be willing to do that? ‘Rat’ on someone. As the van pulled to a stop, I knew the answer. I would be willing to sell my own mother or maybe even my soul to get out of doing time. Honor among thieves. Huh, that may be true, but I didn’t think it worked so well with drug dealers.
I was thinking about this arrest, it just came out of the blue. I believe it is the Holy Spirit. The great thing is I don’t find anything about memories like this to be good or bad anymore. What they do always is to bring to mind a verse or two from God’s Word that apply or should apply to my life now. This morning was no different: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
I guess you could ask, “How does that work? You remember a time in your past when you were morally bankrupt, and it brings a verse to mind?” Strangely enough, yes. The great thing about having the Word of God in my life is that it can take all the garbage that is still stored up in my head and turn it into a reminder of what my life can be now. I don’t have to be that man who spent years running, hiding and ready to sell my own soul for self-gratification. I can be the man who now seeks the truth, the noble, righteousness, purity, loveliness and one of admirable thoughts and actions. But also know it has absolutely nothing to do with me. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) Me, the drug dealer. The one low enough to sell his mother or his soul to save himself, was saved by the one who would have died just to save me. Can you believe it? I do!
But years ago, as I was herded into a holding cell filled to the max, I could smell fear all around me. In that moment I knew I could trust no one and it was every man or woman for themselves. Eventually, I was called into a drab interview room and there two cops proceeded to grill me about everything and everyone I knew at the time. To my relief they did not ask me to throw anyone under the bus. It turned out I was not the one they were after and they didn’t seem to think I was valuable enough to worry about. I was soon in night court where I pled guilty to misdemeanors but seeing it was not my apartment or my drugs, I was set free. But free to do what? Return to my life now warier and even less trusting than the world around me. It would be over 20 years before I found true freedom in these words: “…If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (from John 8: 31-32) Today I am free indeed. How about you?
Blessings John
1/9/19
