Build
I Corinthians 3: 12-14:  (12) Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, (13) each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. (14) If anyone’s work which he has built endures, he will receive a reward.

In life, we are tested.  In officiating, we are tested.  Our foundation will determine how we endure.   When building a house, the architecture is done up front.  There is not one set of designs made without a solid foundation.  But, the results of the design are not revealed until later—once built and tested. 

What is our foundation in officiating--rules knowledge, health & fitness, video study, being a good crewmate.  We can build a good foundation and it can look good on the surface, but what happens when tested by fire. 

Allen, TX stadium looked good on the surface.  But when it was tested by the elements—crowds, weather, and other elements, it was shown (revealed) to not be structurally sound—cracks were found.  A $60M stadium had design issues.

As officials, we can have a solid foundation.  But, when tested during games and during post game review of our performance, we are revealed.  The question is does our foundation stay strong and the fire/elements refine us and show that we can handle the fire?  Or, does the fire show or cause cracks in our foundation?  Now, it doesn’t mean we are perfect.  The goal is for the fire to refine us, make us stronger, and help us as individual officials and as crews become stronger.

Repairs were made to the Allen, TX stadium, very costly ones—more than $10M.  As officials, we will make mistakes, but how we handle them will determine how much cost is involved.  Our goal is to build on our solid foundation to minimize mistakes.  Even in our mistakes, we can be rewarded depending on how we handle the situation.

In I Corinthians 3: 12-14, Paul is explaining that Christians are rewarded in Heaven, but, the rewards are based what Christians reveal through the fires of life. As officials, we are rewarded by our work on and off the field.  When we handle the fire, the results are more games, getting the chance at the next level we are trying to reach, playoff assignments, bowl games, or whatever the goal we are trying to reach.

To build as an official, we must endure—to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding.  Allow the fires we face to show that our work is worthy of being rewarded.

In the beginning.....

The Blog was started to give officials/Umpires/Referees a Biblical Devotion to read and study individually or as a crew. During the football season, the plan is to update the Blog at the beginning of each week to allow officials some thought to carry through the week. To begin the Blog, I want to share a prayer that was sent to us by one of the wives on my crew about three years ago.........

The Officials’ Prayer
May the Lord watch over and protect each member of the crew throughout this game, helping us to clearly see what should be seen, using perfect mechanics and wise judgment. May we communicate effectively with one another and the teams, with each penalty enforced properly and without controversy. May the game go smoothly and look professional on TV, without confusion, conflict or unnecessary delay. May we, individually and as a crew, find favor with supervisors, coaches, commentators, observers and fans. May our bodies be strong, minds focused and skills multiplied. Give the crew confidence and peace of heart, knowing we are well-prepared and Your divine grace is with us. Protect each one, on and off the field, and bring each back to our families with fullness of joy.

Such a powerful prayer that our crew used before each game.