Hitting the Panic Button

Steve Boots
6 hours ago
2 min read

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2

I am a chaplain for our local police department, so I find myself riding along with the officers often. In my years of riding, I have never been to a call for a bank robbery in progress (yet), but I do know that there are specific things in place for the bank tellers when one occurs. One of the most reassuring measures they can take is what is known as the panic button. Other businesses have them, and they are readily available through a security company or online, but a panic button is exactly what it sounds like it is. When a robber walks in and yells, “Freeze,” an employee should be able to quickly hit that button without anyone noticing. When that button is pressed, it immediately sends a call to the local police in the area, who will hopefully be able to get there in time to apprehend the robbers. Even if they don’t, they should be there in time to rescue the employees or let them know that everything is safe. The only thing I can think of in this scenario that would be worse than having a gun pointed in your face and being robbed would be to have a panic button that was not operational. The police are not alerted, the robbery continues unabated, and who knows what could happen from there. It is important then, for a business to regularly test the panic button to ensure that it will function when they need it most.

Unfortunately, many Christians treat God like an untested panic button. They live their lives in their own way, doing their own thing, until an emergency happens that they feel like they can’t handle themselves. They call out to God, expecting Him to come running to their aid, but He can’t even hear them. When we sin, we cut that line of communication, and it can only be restored when we repent and get things right with God. There is certainly nothing wrong with calling out to God in an emergency. In fact, that is the preferred way to handle a difficult situation. But if that is the only time we ever call Him or the only time we act like we need Him, then don’t expect Him to be there when you feel like you need Him most.

Keep the line of communication open. Spend time with God when things are good. That will help you to keep the right relationship with Him so that when you do need Him urgently His ears will be open to your cry.