CONCENTRATION

Concentration--exclusive attention to one object; close mental application.

Life is full of distractions. What are some of those distractions for you? (news, friends, social media, politics, social events). So many things and activities can pull us back and forth in our lives coming from various directions.  Officiating is no different.  We can get distracted with evaluations (good and bad), plays we didn’t get right, fans, media, coaches, and even players.

We have to decide how to live and respond to each day. Our focus can’t be on past failures and past successes. Focusing on the past can keep us from moving forward.  Our concentration has to be this one thing: learn from the past, release it and embrace the future. God will empower you to do this one thing just as Paul stated that he did in Philippians 3.  Focus and persistence are necessary to release the past and to march into the future.

Paul focused his energy on one thing. He disciplined his life to release the past and to embrace the future God had for him……..

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

The military definition of CONCENTRATION is the assembling of military or naval forces in a particular area in preparation for further operations. Taking from the military meaning of concentration, when we go into our game this week, keep our concentration on the field—in our area.  Don’t let distractions of our life or our surroundings keep us from performing our responsibilities at the highest level. 

Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.
--Alexander Graham Bell

STRONG

How strong of an official are you?  We often hear officials referred to as a “strong official”.  Does that mean great physical shape, mental toughness, emotional stability?  I would say—all of the above.

A prospective missionary was scheduled for an interview with the Mission Board about a potential assignment.  He arrived for his scheduled appointment at 6am.  He sat in a room until 10am waiting on the interview.  Once the interview started, the prospective candidate was asked odd questions along with other very pointed and direct questions.  When the interview was over, the following was reported back to the Mission Board concerning the candidate…

“I tried his patience for hours and hours and he did not break down; Then I insulted him and he did not lose his temper. This candidate answered with patience, fortitude, and gentleness. His faith was vindicated by the very quality of his character. He will make a good missionary."

See, the Mission Board knew it took more than just a desire to be a missionary.  It takes physical, mental, and emotional toughness.  As officials, we are tested physically, mentally, and emotionally.  We must prepare ourselves to be STRONG in each of these areas.

 

Each game we are tested just as the potential Missionary candidate was.  What report is given on us?  Just as the Mission Board reported back that the candidate would make a good missionary, are we referred to as a “Strong Official” with physical, mental, and emotional toughness?

Luke 8:15--But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Self-Assessment

Our Supervisor of Officials gave us “Crew Self-Assessment Objectives”.  Before I list those, think about what “experience” means.

What do we gain from our experiences each game?  Do we learn from our experiences?  Experience is not the best teacher; evaluated experience is the best teacher. Reflective thinking is needed to turn experience into insight. We draw lessons from the past only when we study it. Experience can be an excellent teacher if we take the time to evaluate. Mindless activities create shallow thinking, while evaluated action broadens our perspective.  Think of each game as a laboratory. We observe, evaluate, learn and apply lessons.

Here are the 5 Crew Self-Assessment Objectives:

1.       Did we effectively and fairly manage the game?

2.       Did we consistently apply the rules and philosophies to each play?

3.       Did we demonstrate sound and fundamental mechanics?

4.       Did we work together as a team?

5.       Was our individual performance up to the standard that is expected?

Great list of questions to EVALUATE your performance after each game.  Remember the next steps—learn and apply!

I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw. Proverbs 24:32.

VISION

Vision is vital to officials.  Our goal is to be in the best position to give ourselves the best look at a play.  How do we get the best vision on the field?  (1) Make sure physical vision is right—are glasses/contacts needed?; (2) be in the right position; (3) Focus and limit distractions.

One other way to have the best vision…………FAITH.

Our faith in each other grows our vision.  In Matthew 14:28-32, Peter is focused on Jesus and is performing a miracle—walking on water.  His Faith in Jesus allowed him to see beyond what he thought he could physically do.  BUT, what happened.  He saw the storms, Peter got distracted.  The storms were already happening when Peter got out of the boat, he just let other things get in his way of his vision of Jesus.

Walt Disney said “Our minds see more than our eyes can see.”  So, our vision is more than just what we can see.  It’s also all that our mind can process.  Having Faith in each other helps to process what our mind is seeing.  Then, we have to process what our eyes and mind see and determine what action to take.

“Faith grows our Vision.”  Faith is the place where belief intersects actions because a lack of action shows a lack of belief.