I am not a big sports enthusiast, but I married one and raised another. When I go to a sporting event, it’s because I have a grandchild playing or because my wife likes to support the teams of the school where she works. I go to be with her. She celebrates their achievements and victories. I celebrate her celebrating.
It is the end of September the season of “Home Comings”. This past Friday night she went to support the players, cheerleaders, and homecoming court; and I went to support her supporting them. It was a great homecoming game because our team scored on the first play of the game and was never in doubt of winning. No moaning and groaning came from the home fans which is always nice on the night of homecoming.
I watched the game when the ebb and flow of the transient crowd was in a lull on the walkway in front of me. About the middle of the third quarter, an observation prompted a question that I did not verbalize at the time. “Wouldn’t the game run along faster if there were no officials constantly finding fault and measuring everything? Is their presence really needed?”
All the rules are in black and white printed in a little pocket-size book they carry or should carry. Every coach has a copy or two. They have been teaching their players how to play by the rules and the honor of sportsmanship. So why is there a need for officials? If the coaches do their jobs, won’t the players willingly stay within the confines of the rule book? Is the official’s presence not an indictment upon the competence of the coach’s teaching or upon the integrity of the individual teen players?
The job of officials, according to Wikipedia, is “to keep order and see the rules are followed”. In high school football, there are generally five officials: Referee, Umpire, Head Linesman, Line Judge, and Back Judge. There is usually a guy on the sideline starting and stopping the clock as appropriate. In addition, there are two more guys, each with a pole connected by a chain. I don’t know why I told you all that “official” stuff. You are probably already well-versed in football ways. I looked it up; I found it informative and just wanted to add it so you would know I am trying.
Here is the answer to the question. “YES!” Officials are needed. Rules are forgotten or ignored in the heat of the battle. One thing I know about fallen humanity is they tend to want to live as closely to the limiting rule as they can without crossing over the line or too far over the line. I doubt any coach tells his kids to go out there and don’t come close to breaking a rule. Push the limits but don’t get caught on the wrong side of the line.
I think that is what happened when Moses brought the Ten Commandments down to the people. Jesus responded to our dancing on the lie of disobedience by refining the Law when he taught, “No you cannot kill another human, and know this, hating them is just as bad. No, you can’t cheat on your wife, or your wife to be, but dreaming about it is just as bad. No, you can’t steal your neighbor’s car but you can’t want it or want him not to have it either.”
Rules are necessary because humans, all of us, each of us, naturally want life to be smooth, and pleasant, and prosperous for us because we are “special”. We need a moderator, and a protector, and an authority to whom we are accountable. We need God.
Photo; Fred Baldwin. Watching the waves roll in on the beach at Destin, FL
Baldwin Heirlooms 