Respect The Authority
Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *
A handball game at the Sub Junior Boys Handball Tournament in 2008 :: Pix - Jinendra Maibam
In the world of sports the players or even their coaches are to respect the referee or umpire. In some sports their participation is minimal, almost non-existent. While in some other sports, much depends on the keen eye of the referee. Because even if the rules are crystal clear, it is he who decides or has the last word during the specific time of the particular sports and competitions!
Hand-ball is the one games a good example here. Many of the rules are applied at the discretion of the referee. For instance; passive play – playing-keep-ball-fouls in defense or attacks and steps etc. Despite the inherent difficulty a good sportsman or woman is one who plays by the whistle, while millions are mere spectators.
All the players must respect and accept the Authority of the referee or umpire, even if they make a wrong call even. The acceptance of Authority, besides meaning that the rules must be strictly followed! It goes a long way to creating good vibes thereby, defusing otherwise possibly violent situations in all the sports and competitions.
You may say oh, how hard it is! Even the mention of the word Authority sets our teeth on edge! What do we need it for anyway? Wouldn't we be better off without it? Well, if we were able to live in peace and not make mistakes then yes, we could do without the need for any Authority.
But we're not quite there yet, are we? On the other hand if you think about it, true Authority is never destructive but it helps. It's even impossible to be really free if there's no Authority in place. Why? Because our own ambitions and drives quickly lead us to squash other's freedom!
Once I overcome a joke, more then half American populations are illiterate, how? The traffic regulations provided by the Authority can't be followed nor respected. Many will simply park their vehicles while knowing what to do and what not to do. Such as "NO PARKING, PARKING ONLY FOR HANDICAPED, DRIVE SLOW OR SPEED LIMITS OR A ONE-WAY TRAFIC ETC! If you don't follow and respect the traffic Authority you're no better then an illiterates.
The signals are provided by the Authority to control smooth movements of the countless automobiles in our fast growing world today. The policemen's are recruited, well trained and appointed to maintain the safety of its citizens. One of the worst traffic jammed I ever came across in my journey was in Cairo, Egypt.
It took more then 2 hours for a mere 5 miles drive. Why, the reason is, because they are illiterate maybe, hehe he…(joke). They read the signals but not followed. It will soon be here in our own city, because that's what our driving discipline tells us. It is very important to follow and obey any rules made by the Authorities for the benefit of their citizens!
This is why we live within a framework of Authorities: at home, in society and in politics, even in church... in each instance there is an Authority to be submitted to. Up to which point? In as much as there is no direct contradiction with God's word, and so with God Himself.
We can easily forget that the world is a slave to sin and therefore obeys its own Authority, by name Evil. We were once slaves to evil, but God has sets us free and has made us capable of deciding, acting, thinking; He has made us His children and consequently we are under His Authority.
God has removed tyranny from our lives. We were under the control of the evil dictator and strangers to God. Now we have overcome the powers of darkness. Now we belong to God's family. We are his servants, even his friends and moreover, His sons and daughters, is what the Bible says! He who can't be subject to Authority will be always a slave forever! "...submit to the Governing Authorities" Rom. 13:1.
* Dr. Thamsing Lamkang wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer is a Pastor & Advisor, Nagaland Sports Coalition and can be contacted at thams20009(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk
This article was webcasted on September 26 2012.
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