Steadfast

 Scripture

“My heart is steadfast, O God. I will sing and make music with all my soul.” (Psalm 108:1)

Reflection

There’s an ancient saying:
“Thou shalt stand immovable in joy and sorrow like the bones of the dead.”
To be immovable is to be firmly rooted—steady and consistent, not easily pushed off course. This is especially challenging when life brings hardship, not just when things are going well.

To be steadfast, you are firm, unwavering and loyal often in the face of opposition or challenge. The biblical idea of steadfastness is no different--unwavering, firm, and resolute. David, in Psalm 108:1, declares his heart is steadfast, choosing to praise God regardless of circumstances.

Application

Steadfastness is a daily decision. In our spiritual lives and in our work (such as officiating), we are called to be unwavering. Consider these areas:

• Rules and Video Study: Be consistent, even when it’s difficult and time consuming.
• Crew Commitment: Show up and be present for your crew, every time.
• Communication: Speak truthfully and clearly, building trust.
• Stress: Face challenges with courage, not fear.
• Evaluations: Care about growth and feedback, not just results.
• Interactions: Be trustworthy with everyone--coaches, players, administrators.
• Decision-making: Stay humble in success, steady in mistakes.

Some days you’ll succeed; other days, you’ll face defeat. In both, dust yourself off, ask for God’s grace, and recommit to being steadfast.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be steadfast in heart and action. Grant me grace to stand firm in joy and sorrow, and to reflect Your unwavering love in all I do. Amen.

Other Scriptures on being Steadfast:

1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

James 1:4: “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Go Before Us

 Scripture:

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
— Proverbs 16:9

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Reflection

We all make plans—for our families, our work, and even our roles as officials. Often, things go as we expect. But sometimes, circumstances change: a job situation shifts, a loved one gets sick, or we face challenges in our officiating, like injuries or mistakes.

When life doesn’t go as planned, it’s natural to wonder: Did God make a mistake? What is He trying to teach us?

The truth is in every circumstance—good or bad—God’s sovereign hand is at work in our lives. He uses all things for our ultimate benefit and His glory. As believers in Jesus Christ, this is the foundation we stand on.

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Key Thought

When facing challenges, remember the prevenient grace of God—“the grace that goes before us.” We often think of God’s presence as walking with us, but He’s also already gone ahead, preparing the way.

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Application

• In officiating, as in life, we experience both successes and failures. Good decisions build our confidence, but mistakes can help us grow and mature—if we respond with faith.
• How do you respond to setbacks? Do you let them set you back, or do you allow God to use them for growth?
• Trust that God is not only with you now, but has already gone before you, preparing the road ahead.

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Prayer

Lord, thank You for going before me. Help me trust Your sovereign hand in every circumstance—good or bad. Give me confidence not just in my successes, but also in my failures, knowing You use all things for my growth and Your glory. Amen.

Prudence—Wisdom for Every Step

Scripture Focus

"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."
— Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)

Reflection

Prudence is the virtue of practical wisdom. It means acting with caution, good judgment, and self-control—making wise decisions and avoiding unnecessary risks by considering the long-term consequences of our actions. Prudence is not just about avoiding trouble; it’s about living with foresight, discretion, and intelligence, so our actions are timely, appropriate, and beneficial.

Consider the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David faced the giant, but before the battle, he picked up five stones, though he only needed one to defeat Goliath. Why five? Some say David was preparing for Goliath’s brothers, but another perspective is that David was being prudent. He didn’t know how many stones it would take, so he prepared for every possibility. David’s actions show wisdom, good judgment, and foresight—the marks of a prudent person.

Application

As sports officials, we are called to work each play with wisdom and self-control. The average college football game has approximately 160 plays.  Our goal is to approach each one with prudence. The decision-making occurs quickly, having the foresight, discretion, and intelligence to make the decisions is crucial to long-term success. Off the field, prudence means being conscious of our actions, words, and attitudes. Are we taking unnecessary risks? Are we considering the long-term consequences of what we say and do? Are we aware of who we are speaking to, and how we represent ourselves and our crew?

Prayer

Lord, grant me the virtue of prudence. Help me to act with wisdom, good judgment, and self-control in every situation. May I learn from David’s example, preparing for what lies ahead and trusting You with the outcome. Guide my words and actions so that they honor You and reflect Your wisdom. Amen.

Challenge

This week, reflect on your decisions—big and small. Ask yourself: Am I acting with prudence? Am I considering the long-term impact of my choices? Seek God’s wisdom in every step, and let prudence guide you.

Emotions Under Control

 

Scripture

• Proverbs 14:17 – “A quick tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.”
• Proverbs 16:32 – “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”

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Reflection

The Bible offers many examples of individuals who struggled with self-control, but perhaps none more dramatically than Samson. Samson was uniquely blessed by God with superhuman strength, a gift he used to fight the Philistines and lead Israel for twenty years. Yet, despite his victories and his calling, Samson’s life was marked by a persistent struggle with his emotions—particularly lust and anger. His story is a vivid illustration of how unchecked emotions can lead even the strongest among us into trouble. Samson’s journey was a roller coaster of highs and lows. At times, he was devoted to worshiping God, but at other moments, he was distracted by his desires, especially his attraction to Philistine women. The most famous episode in Samson’s life involved Delilah, who tricked him into revealing the secret of his strength—his long, uncut hair. When Delilah cut his hair, Samson lost his strength, was captured, imprisoned, and ultimately met his death. Despite many great victories, Samson’s inability to master his emotions led to repeated failures and ultimately his downfall.

 

The lessons from Samson’s life are especially relevant for those in high-pressure roles, such as sports officials. In these environments, controlling our emotions is one of the most important characteristics we can develop. The way we react to our crewmates, coaches, players, and even the emotions of fans can determine how well we perform and how we are perceived. A lack of self-control can manifest in poor body language, a harsh or anxious tone of voice, and nervous communication within a crew. Conversely, self-control is demonstrated through calmness and strength, both in our body language and in our interactions.

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Application

Proverbs offers practical wisdom for cultivating self-control. Proverbs 14:17 warns that “a quick tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated,” while Proverbs 16:32 teaches, “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” These verses remind us that true strength is found not in physical power or outward achievement, but in the ability to control our temper and practice patience. Samson’s story, paired with the wisdom of Proverbs, challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we ruled by our emotions, or do we rule over them? By seeking God’s help and applying biblical wisdom, we can grow in self-control, respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively, and reflect the calm strength that honors God and blesses those around us.

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Prayer

Heavenly Father, teach me to respond with calmness and clarity, even when I am challenged or provoked. Let my words and actions reflect the goodness You have placed within my heart. Help me to be patient with others and with myself, trusting that Your Spirit can empower me to overcome anger, anxiety, and temptation. May I honor You by ruling over my emotions, rather than letting them rule over me.