I
learned that consistency, honesty, and integrity are indispensable elements of
an effective testimony. It happened just days after [my wife] and I moved into
the parsonage of our first pastorate. I was asked to referee a "touch
football game" for some boys in the community. I replied that I didn't
know all the rules of the game but was willing to do the best that I could.
They accepted the offer. I had not met some of the boys and felt this would be
an opportunity to relate to them.
The
game went well at first. Then came the "big play." A pass was thrown
and caught for a long gain. As I was placing the ball at the new starting
point, Elliot, a deaf and mute player, indicated to me in sign language that he
had been illegally held and prevented from breaking up the pass. I had not seen
the infraction of the rule. Several of the boys from each team said,
"Preacher Mitchell, you can depend on what Elliot tells you. He is honest
and truthful." This posed a problem for the referee who was supposed to
"call the games as he saw it." I turned to the one who supposedly
held him and asked, "Did you hold him?"
Embarrassingly
he replied, "Yes I did." I nullified the play and assigned a penalty.
The entire group was satisfied. What a testimony for consistency, truth, and
integrity on communicating our message to others! Even the offender agreed with
the testimony of the offended. If beneficial in a "touch football
game," it is demanded in Christian testimony.
--Virgil
Mitchell in Wesley Press' Teacher Helps
#3595
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