Kill the Umpire

In a former life (before becoming one of the world’s great writers) I officiated a little baseball, football, and basketball. I have seen officiating from both sides. I often chastised officials when my kids were playing soccer, football, etc., and some officials, while I was playing sports, have actually had the audacity to accuse me of violating some rule or something, as if that were even possible.

When I watch team sports it seems that my team is always on the wrong side of an official’s call. It sure has been the case with this year’s World Cup. I almost always think the Cowboys and Mavs get roughed up by the officials, and Ranger pitchers almost never get a called strike (of course Ranger pitchers almost never throw strikes).

I know, of course, that the problem is in the eye of the fan. We seldom see the violations our team commits, and we sometimes “dream up” violations against the opposing team. Actually, I think, most officials get most calls right most of the time (note all those “mosts”).

One thing about life’s official. He always make the right call. When His children stray from The Way, His convicting Spirit make the call (John 16:8). When we are “right on” He “causes” us to know that. When we are not, he never hesitates to “blow the whistle.” You may think a “call” is incorrect, or off the mark, but, trust me, it isn’t.

Play hard. Listen close. Win!