When to Give Thanks!

Scripture Reference:

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Devotional Thought:

Belief in God’s divine guidance enables us to be thankful when things go well and patient when things go against us. Paul’s words remind us that God’s will is for us to be thankful not just for the good, but in every circumstance. Notice that Paul doesn’t say to be thankful for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. When life is difficult, God calls us to be grateful for His sustaining presence and help.

It’s easy to overlook gratitude when things are going well. Human nature can cause us to forget the daily gifts God provides. Today, make it a point to notice the blessings around you: what you see, what you have, and who is with you. Observe the color, beauty, and variety in your life.

As officials, thankfulness takes on unique meaning.

• Thankful for Opportunity: We have the privilege to participate in a game we love, to be part of the action, and to contribute to fair play.
• Thankful for Support: Appreciate the encouragement from your family and fellow officials, who understand the challenges and joys of officiating.
• Thankful for Growth: Each game, whether easy or difficult, is a chance to learn, grow in patience, and develop character.
• Thankful for Influence: We have the opportunity to impact athletes, coaches, fans, and fellow officials by modeling integrity, respect, and calm under pressure.
• Thankful in Challenges: Even when faced with criticism or tough calls, we can be grateful for God’s strength to endure and the lessons learned through adversity.

Application:

• Practice the gift of noticing.
• Make a list of the blessings you observe today.
• Be thankful for opportunities, support from family and colleagues, and the chance to impact others.
• In both good times and tough times, choose gratitude and patience.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to give thanks in all circumstances. Open my eyes to the blessings around me, and grant me patience when things are difficult. Thank you for your constant presence and for the opportunities to serve and touch the lives of others. As an official, help me to be grateful for every moment, every challenge, and every opportunity to make a difference. Amen.

How to Be (Blessed)

The beatitudes are spiritual teachings Jesus gave during his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12) and can be understood as blessings for those who live according to His message. There are eight beatitudes that describe qualities of character: "humility," "truthfulness," "meek/restraint,” “dedication to fairness," “empathy,” “integrity,” “peacemakers,” and "resilience to criticism."

 

• "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3):
• Officials' quality: Humility and self-awareness. A good official understands they are not perfect and need support and training to improve. They are part of a team of officials, not an individual, and operate under the league's authority and guidelines.
• "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4):
• Officials' quality: Acknowledging mistakes. Officials are human and make errors; The ability to acknowledge a mistake, correct it if possible, and move on is a key aspect of resilience in officiating.
• "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5):
• Officials' quality: Composure under pressure and restraint. Officials demonstrate meekness by not reacting to verbal abuse from fans, players, or coaches. They enforce rules with quiet authority rather than an overbearing or arrogant attitude, allowing the game to proceed with minimal disruption.
• "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6):
• Officials' quality: A dedication to fairness and correct application of the rules. Officials have a strong desire to make the correct, fair call, ensuring justice is served on the field according to the established guidelines. They are neutral and show no prejudice towards either team.
• "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7):
• Officials' quality: Empathy and appropriate judgment. While enforcing rules strictly, an official must also exercise discretion and "people skills" when dealing with players and coaches. They may issue warnings when appropriate, demonstrating an understanding of context and human emotion.
• "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8):
• Officials' quality: Integrity and lack of bias. Purity of heart in officiating translates to impartiality and an honest approach to every decision. Officials must be driven by an commitment to the rules, not personal gain or team preference.
• "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9):
• Officials' quality: Conflict resolution and maintaining order. Officials act as mediators in a contentious environment, working to de-escalate conflicts and ensure the game flows smoothly and safely.
• "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10) and “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11)
• Officials' quality: Resilience to criticism. Officials often face intense criticism and are frequently "persecuted" by fans and media for their decisions, even when they are correct. The Beatitude offers the perspective that doing the right thing, despite public backlash, is a worthy endeavor.

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Stay Sharp

Scripture Focus:

"For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart."
— Hebrews 4:12

Devotional Thought

As officials, our role is crucial. Just as athletes must make crisp, sharp movements and decisions to succeed, officials must be sharp in their decisions and actions. A moment of sloppiness—a missed call, a lapse in focus—can change the outcome of a game and affect everyone involved.

The Bible teaches us that God’s Word is “sharper than any two-edged sword.” It is our guide for living with integrity, focus, and wisdom. Just as we train to be physically and mentally sharp for each game, we are called to be spiritually sharp by letting God’s Word shape your character and decisions.

Reflection

• Stay Sharp in Your Judgment:
  Before each game, pray for wisdom and clarity. Let God’s Word remind you to be fair, honest, and attentive on every play and situation.
• Be Consistent and Focused:
  Don’t let fatigue or distraction lead to sloppy officiating. Stay alert, focused, and disciplined, knowing that our actions reflect not only on you but also the integrity of the game.
• Apply God’s Word to Your Role:
  Use Scripture as your foundation for making tough decisions. Let it guide your responses to players, coaches, and fans, especially in moments of pressure. For example, in Psalm 32:8, God promises to guide and counsel us—“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Practical Application

• Begin each game day with a brief devotion and prayer, asking God for discernment and strength.
• Memorize key verses like Hebrews 4:12 to remind yourself of the importance of staying sharp.

Closing Reflection

Officials must be sharp to ensure a fair and successful game. Let’s commit to staying focused, disciplined, and rooted in Scripture—on and off the field.

Prayer:
Lord, as I step onto the field, help me to be sharp in my judgment and fair in my decisions. Let Your Word guide my actions and keep me focused, so I may honor You in my role as an official. Amen.