God leads us in our public service

“The Preamble to the Idaho State Constitution says; We, the people of the state of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution. 

The Bible is my policy and procedure manual and it defines that Almighty God of our Constitution who we all serve here today. 

Philippians 4:13 NIV says [13] I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

Romans 13 tells me that God instills people into all positions of authority and I am to respect that authority until it goes south of my policy and procedure manual. I respect each and every one of you in this committee for answering the call to be appointed by God for the positions you hold today. 

God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. You are all equipped by God. 

It took me several years to understand Isaiah 6:8 NIV 

[8] Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me.” 

In 1983, I needed a high school diploma to join the United States Air Force. I was a terrible student but God equipped me with a diploma before I even knew him.  

I didn't know anything about the military but God equipped me through five years in Security Forces. 

In 1989 I answered Isaiah 6:8 again and joined the San Diego Police Department. God once again equipped me and saved my life more times than I know over 25-plus years of service. Midway through my police career I got sober and found Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and savior. I have over 22 years of sobriety. 

I retired from the SDPD in 2015 and moved to Blanchard with my wife. I thought my only "calling" now was to hike my Huskies through the woods and tell people to stay off my land. 

But, I started working elections soon after settling in here and God once again asked me the Isaiah 6:8 question when the Chief Judge for Oldtown called in sick with COVID symptoms. This verse was slightly twisted by my election teammates who told elections officials, "Here he is, send him." 

I did begrudgingly go and God once again equipped me.  

Earlier this year, I worked the President Trump caucus but said, "No thanks." at being a precinct committeeman (PC). But my friend rose to the challenge and took me along on his campaign. A fire was lit in me when he taught me what a PC is and does. I had no idea how important this position was until I attended a PC workshop at the recent Idaho State Republican Convention that you people elected me to attend as an alternate delegate; an honor for which I am extremely grateful. 

I can assure you God once again used this opportunity to minimally equip me to be here today asking for your vote to finish the term vacated by friend in Spirit Valley. Much like my time in the military and on the Police Department, I will have much to learn but our Almighty God of our State Constitution will equip me as I go. 

Thank all of you for your time here tonight. I thank all of you for your dedication to our God, our Great State of Idaho, Bonner County and the Republican Party as representatives of your respective precincts. Thank you again. May God bless us all.” 

STEVEN TRUSS

Sandpoint