I have played and attended many baseball games in my life. At the age I am now I love watching them, live more so than on television, and I notice than many of the players, mostly catchers, will shake hands with the umpires. Most recently I was at one of my grandson’s games and in each game the catcher shook the hand of the home plate umpire.
It was a good sight to see, and it was despite the reputation that either may have of each other. Many umpires carry reputations of calls they have made in the past and these reputations pass from team to team, player to player. The same goes for players on their style of play and their vocal responses to calls.
Great coaches and people in leadership positions will tell you that they had rather have players, workers in the community, or employees that have a strong, moral character because that is who you are. Long time coach John Wooden of UCLA, who won multiple titles and championships with his basketball teams, always told his players, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think of you are.”
All of us need to remember what we are told in Proverbs 27:19; “As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.”
What does your character say about you? How do you react to situations? What will be your response, if you play baseball, when the umpire makes a call that you do not like? I can honestly say that I have disliked many calls and argued many calls in my day of coaching, some when playing. However, I must say that was just a fleeting moment in my time on earth and I have never held any of these calls or arguments more than a few moments because they, like many other negative perceptions I have had, did pass. It took me a little time until I finally realized it is just a game. My hope is that I did not gain the reputation of being an argumentative person.
Most of us are going to have some bad judgement problems in our lifetime and we are going to react accordingly to those situations. We are told by the Apostle Paul when he spoke to the Romans that tribulations in one’s life produce a chain reaction of traits that include character. My and your reputation is going to be judged by what others see on our outward image. Our character is what God knows about our inner self.
In the game that I was watching that my grandson participated in, it was good to see the catcher and the home plate umpire shake hands before the game. During the game there was some tough calls from the umpire and some frustrations from the players and the fans. However, at the end of the game everyone that played and that were in attendance left the ballfield in harmony with no mouthing or disagreements.
Does your reputation speak well of you? Is your character above reproach and speaks to people from your heart? All of us need to remember that our character is what God thinks about us and our reputation is what our peers and others think about us.
Prayer: Father God, I praise you and ask that you lead me in everything that I do. Let me serve you and not man. Amen.
