I have a hobby I enjoy immensely - football officiating. It provides a drastic diversion from my usual job; allows me to meet all kinds of people; lets me get involved in many different situations; and provides an opportunity for me to spend time with fellow officials that I like being with. Some of the situations I've run into are comical, to say the least. Once I was working a peewee game in Tomball, and during a timeout one little fellow approached me unobserved. He reached up and pulled on the lanyard that held my whistle to get my attention. I looked down into the eyes of a typical little boy who plays football without any idea of why he's there. He plied me with this question: "Mr. Official, Mr. Official, what ROUND is it?"

Well, after the chuckle subsides, we probably shouldn't be too critical of the small fry, after all, we adults have likely been just as confused about some things as he was about football. Jesus' disciples got confused on occasion. For instance, when Jesus told them that He was leaving them but returning for them so that "where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." (Jn. 14:3, 4), they became a little mixed up. Thomas replied, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way?" - (Jn. 14:5). Jesus' now famous reply was, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me." - (Jn. 14:6). There are a lot of things about religion that are, to say the least, a little confusing at times. But one thing that's clear as crystal is how to get to heaven - Jesus is the way, the only way.

When it comes to sports some of us may be like that little boy; we may not know whether it's a round, an inning, or a quarter. The same is true in a religious world that is beset by a multiplicity of churches and doctrines. In the maze of religious confusion that surrounds us, how are we to steer a safe course and get to heaven? Well, just follow Jesus and you'll be alright.

Lonnie Ritchie
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