WORLD CLASS FINISH

Now that we are nearing the end of another regular season of football, what does it really mean to finish strong?  As we review the season behind us, we all have certainly experienced peaks and valleys.  Let’s look at what finishing strong really means.

In his book Running and Being, George Sheehan writes, “I am at my best nearing the finish of a race. Until then I am just another mediocre distance runner. Just one of the many run-of-the-mill competitors well back in the pack. But with the finish line in sight, all that changes. Now I am the equal of anyone. Gray-haired, balding and wrinkled, but world class. Gasping, wheezing and groaning, but unbeatable.”

As officials, we can often find ourselves in a “pack” just getting through the season.  As we draw to the end, and the finish line is in site, let’s be motivated to be world class.  To finish world class, focus on what Jesus can do for us…..

1. Christ focus=strength to endure present hardships.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

2. Christ focus=remembering his mercy and help in times past.

 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7).

3. Christ focus=great hope for the future

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8).

No matter our current circumstances or our past success/failures, to finish world class, we must keep our Christ focused attention to the finish line.

ADVERSITY

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.'" Isaiah 43:1-2

Adversity can be simply defined as “DIFFICULTIES”.  No question adversity and setbacks will come in life. How we handle them makes all the difference between success and failure. When obstacles or unexpected circumstances happen, we must be equipped with perseverance to solve each problem. Being determined to find a way over, under, around or through the obstacle requires perseverance!

“We don’t find meaning in our lives from the lack of challenges or even misery. We find meaning in our lives by how we face these challenges.” -- Dr. Laura Schlessinger

How do we deal with adversity?  First, we must look at who is involved (or not) in helping us overcome our problems.  We certainly need family, friends, crewmates, Doctors, etc.  But, think about this…people trying to exist without Jesus Christ in their lives are missing the most practical and valuable asset available. God’s help and backing can produce physical, mental, financial and spiritual results.

If God is involved in our lives, situations, opportunities and even trials will have deeper and more purposeful meaning. God places our spiritual growth ahead of our physical comfort and success. Overcoming adversity can produce the character God wants.

How have you done handling and overcoming adversity this season?  The situation could have been a missed call, a no call, crew dynamics, health problems, and various other personal issues that impact our officiating.  Think back over the season and list your adversity and note how it has or is being handled.

Anticipate

Definition of ANTICIPATE:  to expect; look forward to; be sure of

What are things we anticipate? Eating, Sleeping, getting married, birth of children, results from doctors, holidays.

What do we anticipate as officials?  Impact of weather, coaches and players attitudes, pass or run plays, potential plays to review, fouls.

Two primary parts of anticipation:

(1)   Expectations:  what we think will happen.

(2)  Suspense:  the unknown, things we don’t know.

Which one of these parts can cause the most anxiety?  SUSPENSE-the unknown.  We’re a society of control and we like to know what will happen next.  In officiating, anticipating what will happen next is important to our performance.  WHY?  (a) puts is in a better position, (b) gets us mentally ready, (3) helps in communication.

 

Key to anticipation is LOOKING FORWARD.  Think about it—if you are looking back, how can you anticipate what’s next?  The key is to have Expectations—expect what will happen next.

In Philippians 3, Paul tells us he is looking forward towards the prize.  He wasn’t looking back.  If he did, it would be hard for him because of who he was before Jesus changed his life—he was previously known as the chief of sinners.  Here is another verse in Proverbs that really defines ANTICIPATION:

Proverbs 4: 25-26:  ²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. ²⁶ Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

STRETCHED

Ever thought about the purpose of a rubber band?  Actually, a rubber band is not useful until it’s stretched.  If you put a rubber band around a set of papers and the band is too big, you pretty much are just as good without it.  But, when the rubber band is stretched to fit around the papers to hold them together, it becomes one of the greatest invention ever!  But, if we stretch a rubber band too much or too far, it breaks.

When you think about it, our life as officials should be much like a rubber band.  Unless we are stretched as officials, we will never reach our full potential or learn and grow to be better officials.  Much like our faith—unless it is stretched, put to the test, it is useless.  We all need to examine whether we are being stretched to become stronger in our officiating and in our faith.  Are we serving with our talents and abilities—stretching our rubber band?  At the same time, we also need to examine if we are being stretched too much—we don’t want to hit our breaking point.

What happens when we step out and stretch--God shows up and does what we can’t do. We need to keep putting ourselves in situations where we say to ourselves, “God, if You don’t show up, I am bound to fail. I can’t do this in my own strength.”

Improvement comes at the edge of our comfort zone.  To become a better official, to improve our crew, and to grow in our faith, we have to be stretched!

Consider these things that God may want you to do when you are stretched (from Pastor Chris Russell)

• God may want you to DO something.
• God may want you to STOP DOING something.
• God may want you to GIVE something.
• God may want you to SAY something.
• God may want you to STOP SAYING something.
• God may want you to START something.
• God may want you to END something.
• God may want you to LOVE someone.

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Isaiah 54: 2