Don’t Sweat the Refs Part 3

It’s been a bit too long between posts, but I am back and, Lord willing, will be posting consistently once again.

This post is the final part to my three-part series concerning relating to basketball officials.  In part one we looked at why we should never be frustrated with them.  In part two we covered how we should think about them.  Now, in part three, I want to give you three things that should characterize your actual relating to the officials.

We should relate to them 1)  with respect  2)  with thanksgiving  and 3)  with peace.

1)  We should relate to officials with Respect.

Sure, some might argue that some referees are not worthy of respect.  Usually, we tend to think that a referee has to earn our respect by making all the right calls….at least for us.  But there is are a few problems with that kind of reasoning.  1)  It will never happen.  And 2)  it negates the simple fact that we should respect the referees simply because they are there.

I grant you, that last reason isn’t terribly profound, but hey, we are talking about relating to basketball officials.  Who needs profundity?  Simplicity seems best.  Note the simple reality that referees are there.  They are at the game and ready and willing to officiate the contest in which you find yourself.  Though we tend to take that for granted, I think that is a big mistake, for as we have already noted, the presence of officials is essential to a sound contest.  Add to that fact the lack of appreciation that almost always receive and you ought to be a bit more thankful for their presence.

Also, it needs to be mentioned that referees are the authorities of the match.  Like it or not, this is reality.  And though the notion of submitting to authority is by no means popular in America today (or many other places for that matter), it is necessary and good to submit, because submission is best for all.

So the referees deserve our respect because (1) they are there and (2)  they have been given a unique authority over the game itself and in turn, the players and consequently, deserve your respect (and the respect of everyone else).  Our lack of appreciation and respect for our athletic officials is most certainly an indication of much deeper issue.  But I’ll leave that for another post.

2)   We should relate to officials with thanksgiving. 

This one is certainly more difficult than the first, for it may be possible to ‘will’ a respectful attitude.  Thanksgiving, however, just be real.  It just cannot be faked.

I have already said enough as to why we should be thankful for the referees in previous posts.  Suffice it to say that in order for us to relate to officials in this way, a deep renewal of mind must take place.  We must learn to think differently about officials, for our actions will follow our thoughts.  That is, unless we take some time to really change our thoughts regarding officials (and don’t think it will happen overnight), we will continue to be ungrateful people who think we deserve everything to go our way.  No.  Discipline of mind is needed.  I dare say a sort of ‘meditation’ is needed.  Our thoughts must be changed, so that thanksgiving naturally comes.  I exhort you:  do a favor to everyone and think until thanksgiving comes.

3)  We should relate to officials with peace.   

If you have read my previous posts, this point is obvious and certainly has already been stated in some way, shape, or form.  Screaming and yelling do not get much done.  Of course, if it is a technical foul you are after, this is probably quite effective.  But if you really want to help the official do a better job during the game, you are best speaking to him with peace.

Of course, you could threaten the man’s life.  I honestly have seen an official who was swayed by such a threat from an irate fan.  But I trust you would agree that that is by no means a good long-term strategy.  It might work once, but if you get that official again in an arena that seems safe enough, the calls are not likely to go your way.  Extremes are only effective for the moment.  Think long-term and you will realize that peace is best.

Of course, peace doesn’t mean no disagreements.  It simply means civil disagreements, respectful disagreements.  Disagree all your want, but do so with respect, thanksgiving and peace, and you are much more likely to find an open ear.

More could be said, as always, but these three guidelines (when practiced, of course), are bound to serve us well.

Learning to relate with wisdom,

Joe