In sports, refs play a key role in the outcome of games. But, there's an ongoing concern in the NBA that the refs make countless questionable decisions – especially during the last two minutes of games. Instead of getting involved by making the right calls, refs often choose the “no-call” and let players keep playing by “swallowing their whistles” in crunch time. Being a professional ref must be difficult at the end of a game, but nobody wants to see their team lose after a blatant missed call. Unfortunately, that happened earlier this week when the Detroit Pistons were leading the New York Knicks by one point in the closing seconds. The Pistons were about to force a turnover, but before Ausar Thompson could squeeze the ball, Donte DiVincenzo crashed into him and the Knicks took possession of the ball and hit a game-winning shot instead. The Pistons were outraged by the “no call,” and the refs swallowing the whistle, when the Knicks player clearly collided with Thompson. The Pistons felt like this cost them a win and later the ref made this admission: “Upon postgame review, we determined that Thompson gets to the ball first, and then was deprived of the opportunity to gain possession of the ball. Therefore, a loose ball foul should have been whistled on New York's Donte DiVincenzo.” The Pistons were wronged in this situation as the refs stood there watching without rightfully blowing the whistle. We know that refs make mistakes and miss calls, but it’s hard to accept when such a clear one to make is omitted. How could they see this happen and look the other way? The concept of “swallowing the whistle” or choosing the “no-call” can also creep into our lives. Are we “seeing a player get clearly fouled” and doing nothing about it? If we look with open eyes at our friends, co-workers, extended family, neighborhood, and city there are plenty of opportunities to “blow the whistle.” Yet, we often choose to “swallow our whistle” by not getting involved or not trying to make a difference. We all witness people in pain, problems, and injustices taking place every day – from the homeless to impoverished children, to abused women, to addicts, to the moral decay of society, and the breakdown of families. It’s overwhelming, but unfortunately, we are all guilty, at times, of making excuses for why we can’t reach out or help find solutions to these ongoing problems. We see what's happening, but sit here silently and look the other way. However, Isaiah 1:17 (ESV) says, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Although this is a strong charge that is challenging to address, we must ask ourselves if we'll continue turning our heads and swallowing our whistles…or choose to open our hearts by asking God to show us how we can personally contribute to creating change - even if it's in small ways. 1 John 3:17-18 (ESV) asks this question: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Today, as we follow Jesus, let’s take a step forward by allowing compassion and love to motivate our response to injustice and the “fouls” we see in life. As we seek to do what is right, let’s choose to be obedient when God prompts us, so we don’t look back on our lives and admit we mistakenly chose the “no-call.” I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I admit that I don’t always seek justice and compassion. I’m guilty of being selfish and getting caught up in my own little world. I don’t always like interfering, so I turn my head instead. Please break my heart for what breaks Yours. Give me eyes to see what You see and a passion to fix what is wrong in the world. Thank you for saving me and loving me the way You do. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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