The big game is just around the corner and many fans are wondering if it will be called fairly by the referees.
This season in NFL football has been one filled with controversial calls by officials. And even more to the point, the Kansas City Chiefs, who are one of the contenders for the Super Bowl Trophy, seemingly have benefited the most.
I will not adjudicate this here, but let you decide the merits of fair officiating associated with their season. However, anyone looking for a laugh should search out the various memes created by the disgruntled.
Closer to home, I have attended nearly every game my grandson has played this year in high school basketball. Recently, someone I know well got tossed from a game for alleged verbal misconduct directed at the refs. He is still awaiting a trial by his peers.
Seriously, though, this did make me wonder about the general perception that officiating crews rule fairly.
In the broader scope, it is increasingly true that our institutions and those who lead them are under scrutiny by the public en masse.
The Apostle Paul speaks to the idea that we are to accept the authority and rulings of our leaders.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
To be sure, Paul is not suggesting we submit to tyranny, rather that institutions and rulers mirror society. Godly, moral people produce moral societies. Just people install just people. And “rebellion” says more about us than those we have entrusted to be fair minded and unbiased in authority.
To the end that we should strive for Godliness, I have no rebuttal for it is a truism and worthy of our respect and reverence.
But what should we do when the “law” is dispensed in either in incompetence, or worse, favoritism?
Setting aside God’s providence and the question of sovereign will, let’s look at how we can respond.
First, on the local level, such as a basketball game, it is best to check our lesser emotions at the door. We should always keep our conduct honorable.
Second, follow the chain of command. It is not only acceptable, but necessary, to work from the bottom up. In America, we have the rare privilege to question our leaders but need to act in accordance with good citizenship.
In the movie, Saving Private Ryan, there is a scene where Captain Miller is asked why he never complains about military decisions with his subordinates. His answer? “Gripes go up, not down. Always up. You gripe to me, I gripe to my superior officer, so on, so on, and so on. I don’t gripe to you.”
Finally, be forgiving. As a person who once took a spell at officiating recreational softball here in Kingman, I can tell you the pressure is real. Everyone is a referee whether they are in the stands or on the field as players.
So, before you yell “That’s a foul!” or “That’s not a penalty!” consider the bigger infraction. Don’t foul-out yourself.
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.
