Every Paddle Matters

Every Paddle Matters

Have you every thought a 10 foot rubber raft can teach the value of a team? Admiral William H. McRaven states in his book “Make Your Bed” that the first phase of Navy Seal training is to carry around this boat everywhere you go.  That means from going to eat, to training-carrying it through sand dunes, navigating the coastline of San Diego with waves up to 8 feet to get to the final destination—EVERYWHERE! 

What did he learn?  Probably a lot about the best way to carry a boat and to paddle a boat through rough waters!  But, also, that every paddle--every team member--matters.  Admiral McRaven said that some days were better than others in training—on any given day, some were sick, tired, injured, etc.  What that meant was other team members had to recognize someone was struggling and either pick them up or dig a little deeper and give extra effort.  In other words, carrying around a small boat with 7 other guys made you get to know those men very well.  As Admiral McRaven said…”The small rubber boat made us realize that no man could make it through training alone.”

As officials, we cannot do it alone.  To perform at the highest level, we need each other and to recognize our strengths, weaknesses, and when we need help.  We need our families.  We need to work with administrators, coaches and players.  We need to support our leaders. 

I Corinthians 12: 14-20:  14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts,[e] yet one body.

In these verses, Paul is specifically talking about Spiritual gifts.  Basically, we all have different gifts as Believers in Jesus and we can use those gifts for God’s purposes.  The same is true for officials.  We all have different things to bring to the crew to make it the best.

Remember—every paddle matters—my success depends on others!

10 Lessons Learned—Navy Seal Training

As the start of the 2018 football has arrived, I challenge you to take the lessons learned from Navy Seal training from Admiral William H. McRaven and apply them to your life, to your officiating, and to your crews.  Here is a link to Admiral McRaven’s speech he gave at the University of Texas in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SONzKUY_bek

These lessons are great for anyone.  As a team of officials, they are especially beneficial.  When listening to the speech, pay close attention to Lessons 2 & 3 concerning the boats.  Remember this….”Every paddle matters and don’t measure a person by the size of their fins but by their heart!” 

Please take 20 minutes to listen and watch the commencement speech.  Also, the book “Make Your Bed” by Admiral William H. McRaven aligns with the speech.  Great book to read and refer to often.

Have a great season!

Life Happens....so what?

Life Happens...so what?

That question can be phrased in two different ways…..

      1)   As an official, it is phrased “Life happens, so what do I do now?”

      2)   From a coaches’ perspective to an official, “Life happens, so what; you’ve got a job to do.”

As an official, life doesn’t stop happening.  During the season, we face many challenges on the field and off the field.  Finding the proper balance of work, family, school, activities, and officiating responsibilities can be difficult.  The reality is when we hit the field, everything else that happens in our life doesn’t matter to the coaches, players, administrators and fans.  How do we balance our life to meet and exceed the expectations of our personal and officiating responsibilities?

John 16: 33:  ³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus spoke these words to tell us we will face troubles—no matter who you are.  But, He also tells us to have peace about it.  The word “heart” is also translated as “courage”.  The two things that are vital when facing life’s challenges—peace and courage.

How do we balance life as an official.  3 things to focus on….

      1)   Prayer

      2)   Prioritize

      3)  Time Management

James 1: 2-4:  (2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whatever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (4) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Colossians 3: 17:  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

BUCKET LIST

What Should Be on Everyone’s Bucket List

By Jared West

***Adapted from the series “The Bucket List” by Dr. James Merritt.***

Do you have a “Bucket List”? Chances are, you have a list of things you’d like to do before you die as research suggests 69% of people have a “list of life’s things to do”.
 

Research does not indicate the percentage of referees that would want to officiate a College Football Championship game or Super Bowl, but I would imagine it would be 100%! But if you removed football officiating from your bucket list, what else would be on it? Traveling to an exotic location? Meeting a famous entertainer or sport personality?
 

So, with your bucket list on your mind, let me ask you a question…Does your bucket list contain things you would like to do before you die or does it contain things you need to do before you die? There is a big difference between the two.
 

Jesus offered a list of things everyone needs to do before he or she dies, and the setting for providing this list is a short span of time (about 6 hours) while he hung from a Roman cross bearing the weight of sin for all mankind. Jesus made 7 statements while He was crucified, and all 7 were thing he specifically did or caused to happen.
 

Indeed, it is the best bucket list of all time, and one that every human being should accomplish before death. Think of this as the ultimate bucket list of things that we need to do before we die.
 

And now, on to the list…
 

1. We must die with a clean slate by forgiving others who have wronged us. (Luke 23:34)

2. We must take care of our family before we die. (John 19:25-26)

3. We must accept Jesus’s sacrifice on our behalf. (Matthew 27:45)

4. We must learn to suffer well. (John 19:28)

5. We must accomplish the mission God has set for our life. (John 19:30)

6. We must ensure that we die in the hands of God. (Luke 23:46)

7. We must see ourselves as sinners and make the right choice to accept Jesus. (Luke 23:42)

The Bible tells us Jesus hung on the cross with criminals on either side of Him. Jesus hung on the center cross and died for sin. The man to the right of Jesus was a criminal who deserved death, and yet He accepted Jesus as savior right before he died. This man died to sin. On the left of Jesus hung another criminal who refused to recognize Jesus as Lord. Sadly, this man died in sin.
 

Three men. Three crosses. Three deaths. However, we, as humans, are left with only 2 choices in response to these crucifixions. We can either die in sin or we can die to sin. You have a choice to make. The criminal who died to sin made the right choice, and this single choice wiped out once and for all the countless bad choices he had ever made.

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

Test with Stress for Success

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart” (Proverbs 17:3 NLT).

Most often, we don’t consider stress as a positive.  Stress can impact us physically, mentally, and emotionally.  But, stress is also a great indicator of how well we can perform.  If we can’t handle the pressure or stress that we are facing, we cannot move forward.

In the Bible, Daniel was a great example of being put under stress to see if he would be successful.  God allowed Daniel to be captured and held as a prisoner of war and was quickly identified as healthy, knowledgeable, and perceptive.  The King who captured Daniel tried to “brain wash” Daniel into becoming one who denied God and followed his rule.  As you read through the story of Daniel, he withstood the pressure and stress and did not submit to the rule of the King and continued to be a great and faithful follower of God.

If God’s going to use us, he’s going to test us first. What is the purpose of the test?  To be sure we’re ready to handle the power, blessing, influence, or whatever else he wants to give us.  Here is an important point to remember—even in the fire, God is with us helping us to succeed. While being tested, it’s sometimes hard to understand if God is even with us.  But, he is and we must rely on his Spirit to lead us.

Proverbs 17: 3 points out that fire tests the purity or how good silver and gold is.  For us, our fires are our stresses—how pure or strong is our heart, soul, and mind to handle those stresses?

God wants to know if he can trust us with success. So, expect to be tested with stress.  Then, expect success on the other side of the test!

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Credit given to Rick Warren-Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope

Work To Please

If we work to please, who do we please?  In officiating, we can look to please a lot of people:  Supervisors, Observers, crewmates, coaches, fans, commentators.  But, who is the most important?  Most would say Supervisors because they hold the key to the games we are assigned.  Pleasing our crewmates is important for crew unity and performance on the field.  We may not work to please coaches, but our communication with coaches is important to have a “pleasing” game.  Truth is, not everyone is going to be pleased.  So, in officiating, how do we work to please?

The apostle Paul teaches we are “working for the Lord and not for people.” No job is too small nor is it too big; no job is too menial; no job is too insignificant nor is one more important than another when you have the right motive and perspective. Our thought should be “I’m doing it for God; I’m doing this job as if I’m doing it for the Lord.”

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people” (Colossians 3:23).

How do I know if my work is for the Lord? Two characteristics will show up:

Excellence and Enthusiasm.

First, if I’m doing my work, not for the boss but for the Lord, I do it with EXCELLENCE—being the best I can be. That means I give it my best shot. I do the best I can because I’m not doing it for anyone’s approval, except God’s.

Second, I do my work with ENTHUSIASM. I’m working for God; therefore, I do it with a cheerful attitude. “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Romans 12:11 NLT).

Think about this…..When you are working with all your heart, motivated by Christ, your work is transformed into an act of worship for God.

Credit given to Rick Warren-Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope (5/21/14)