College football has
returned and I’m among the millions ecstatic about it. There’s nothing like
watching college-age men – who are also expected (at least in theory) to attend
classes, pass exams and stay out of trouble – compete in the unpredictable game
of irresistible force vs. immovable object.
Of course, with
ubiquitous cameras focused on everything both on field and off, down to the
last moustache and eyelash, we’ll be seeing enough controversial scenes to keep
the talking heads yammering for hours on end. It happened again a couple of
weeks ago after the head coach of a major college program berated a young
player on the sidelines.
The player, after
scoring a go-ahead touchdown, made the symbolic “throat slash” gesture to the
opposing crowd, for which the game officials rewarded him with an
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. As the athlete returned to the sideline, his
coach huddled the team around the young fellow and for about 30 seconds, with
extreme zeal, informed him such behavior was totally unacceptable. I’m not sure
what words the frustrated coach used, but suspect “golly” and “darn” weren’t
among them.
Predictably, by the next Monday radio and TV sports
commentators were revisiting the incident, debating whether the coach’s public
tirade had been over the top. Equally predictably, many commentators opined
that embarrassing the player in such a manner had been unnecessary.
Discipline these
days, it seems, is widely regarded as a dirty word. It toys with fragile
psyches, some believe. It restricts self-expression, others say. It borders on
abuse of authority, is the position of many.
Well, to borrow a term from the local deli, “Baloney!” I suspect
one reason our society at times borders on anarchy is because too few are
willing to exercise discipline. Just as a spoonful of sugar can make the
medicine go down, an appropriate measure of discipline can save young,
impressionable minds from the dire consequences of future misdeeds.
Let’s be clear: Discipline and punishment are not
synonymous. Punishment typically is action intended to get even, avenge or
repay someone for a wrong deed. The purpose of discipline, however, is correction.
That doesn’t mean it’s not sometimes unpleasant to receive, but the intent is
to guide in the right direction, not inflict pain out of anger.
For example, tomatoes require the “discipline” of a stake to
grow upward and strong, rather than languishing on the ground. Trellises are
often used to help rosebushes grow tall and healthy, and those plants are pruned
(disciplined) at appropriate times so they become more productive.
Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” In
other words, discipline children to follow their rightful and proper bent. If a
parent wants a son or daughter to grow into a respectable, respectful, reliable
individual, they must discipline them to discern right from wrong, and realize
they are responsible for actions good or bad.
The Bible underscores the importance of understanding discipline is for our benefit. “He who
ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains
understanding” (Proverbs 15:32).
In fact, we’re told if we find ourselves in a position of
authority – whether as a parent, coach, teacher, or employer – exacting
discipline when needed is evidence of our concern for the person. God gives us
the ultimate example: “My son, do not
make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he
accepts as a son” (Hebrews 12:5-6).
I can’t speak for the head coach whose verbal explosion was captured
on camera and replayed countless times online and on TV. I don’t know if his
outburst was out of “fatherly” love or sheer exasperation. But the player and teammates were left with no doubt that “throat slashing” and
other unsportsmanlike behavior would not be tolerated.
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