Black, White, or Gray?

Related Scripture:

"What does the Lord require of you?

To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8

As officials, regardless of the sport, knowing the Black & White (Rules of the Game) is a must to make accurate judgment decisions.  As followers of Christ, we are also expected to live by the Black & White (God’s Holy Word) in our daily lives so that we may acknowledge Him in all our ways.

Micah 6:8 asks the question – “What does the Lord require of you?”

Answer = Act Justly, Love Mercy & Walk Humbly!

I’m sure I’m not the only person who has ever exceeded the speed limit…  Nor am I the only person who has ever been pulled over and before the officer arrives at our car to ask for our license, we have rehearsed what we can say so that we might receive a warning in the form of grace or mercy.  When justice is served because we did break the law and mercy was not granted, is our attitude one of humility as commanded in Micah 6:8?

Let’s look at a football example – The wide receiver is in the neutral zone at the snap by a ½ yard or so on the opposing team’s sideline.  The head coach of that team is yelling, “The wide receiver is offside”!  Now, we are in the same position as the officer in my example above.  Do we serve justice or give grace?

Both of these scenarios occur more frequently in the lives of an officer and as an official than we care to admit.  They also happen in our own daily lives as well with family, friends and co-workers.

Personally, I always want to be a grace guy!! But too many times, I should have acted justly with a gracious attitude with humility

Questions to Ponder:

It has been said that grace is getting what you don’t deserve.  In your daily lives and even as an official, are you someone who lives by the “black & white” 

 or, do you find ways to exhibit grace which I refer to as the “gray”? 

Finding the balance is something that requires prayer…

Greg Norton - Blue Ridge, GA - FCO Board Member