Tim Tebow is one of NFL’s most storied player this season. He has not only an uncanny ability to secure victories when all odds are stacked against him but also bears an uncompromising Christian message and example while playing for the Gators and Broncos. He did not shy away from wearing “John 3:16” on his eye black prior to the 2009 BCS Championship game. He told a reporter that he is still a virgin and waiting to have sex until after he is married. He has kneeled in prayer after college and NFL victories, consistently thanked Jesus during his interviews, and even used scriptural passages in the locker room. He even appeared in a thinly veiled anti-abortion commercial by Focus on Family for 2010 Super Bowl. Tim has been an inspiration for countless people ever since he entered the public scene as a quarterback.
He became a media sensation once again on Saturday (1/08/12) when he stunned Americans with a 80-yard overtime touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas to secure a 29-23 victory over Pittsburgh Steelers. This event produced 9,420 tweets per second and my sister even wanted to watch the Broncos-Patriots game last Saturday (she is not a big fan of football to begin with)! Tebow, in short, is an exceptional player that will continue to captivate both admirers and critics not because of what he has done so far but also for who he is.
Although he lost the most recent game against Denver Broncos, I was blessed after reading an excellent article by Rick Reilly from ESPN called “I believe in Tim Tebow.” Reilly took the time to show us something about Tebow that we don’t see too often. Tebow had a different perspective on life than most people do and believes that it is important to reach out to people who are hospitalized, sick, or injured and try to make a difference in their life.
Take Bailey Knaub, a girl who had a total of 73 surgeries so far because of granulomatosis that left her with only one lung (by the way, she is only 16 years old). Tebow took the time to introduce her to his teammates before the game and came immediately after the press conference to check and see if this lady had anything to eat. She reported that this was one of her most favorite days of her life. One life was impacted.
Or consider Jacob Rainey, a quarterback for a high school in Charlottesville, Va. who lost his leg after a bad tackle during a scrimmage. After a disappointing performance in a game, Tebow spent time with Jacob Rainey after the game. Jacob noted how authentic Tebow was with him and admired him for it. Later on, Jacob Rainey told Reilly that he wants to play tackle football (with his prosthetic leg) because Tebow told him that he had to keep fighting and not give up. Two lives were impacted.
And many more were impacted as well, I’m sure. Only God knows how many.
Near the end, Reilly thought that spending time with those type of people probably would be an huge distraction for Tebow. On the contrary, it is something that he enjoys doing the most:
"It's by far the best thing I do to get myself ready. Here you are, about to play a game that the world says is the most important thing in the world. Win and they praise you. Lose and they crush you. And here I have a chance to talk to the coolest, most courageous people. It puts it all into perspective. The game doesn't really matter. I mean, I'll give 100 percent of my heart to win it, but in the end, the thing I most want to do is not win championships or make a lot of money, it's to invest in people's lives, to make a difference." (emphasis mine)Tebow would rather to spend more time with people and make a difference rather than playing football. He is a godly man and leader who motivates his teammates because of who he is in Christ Jesus. He is exceptionally gifted in the game of football but does not make it a priority in his life. Instead, he lives out a life characterized by authenticity, humility, and integrity, one that is centered around Christ. He is chiefly concerned about the very person whom he invited to a given game. Tebow goes the extra mile to make sure that the people who he invites felt special, valued and loved by talking, encouraging, and validating them.
I am inspired by Tebow because he practices a “religion that is pure and undefiled before God” by thinking about and visiting those who need love, encouragement and hope (similar to the “orphans and widows in their affliction”) while at the same time holding fast to his convictions and personal holiness that is ultimately centered around his personal relationship with Christ (James 1:27).
Doesn't he inspires and challenges you to do likewise?
Tags: Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos, Football, Faith, Inspiration, James 1:27, Example, Christian, Christianity, NFL
1 comment:
One of the things, Bruce, that you're going to have to realize is that Tim Tebow is being Media-ized, if that is a word. While we often hear about TIm Tebow, we need to remember that we do not hear of other Christians (Kurt Warner, Albert Pujoles, for example) who have a much quieter demeanor, and perhaps a much more private demonstration of their Christian Faith.
The question that emerges from something of this magnitude is, "Why should it take an external manifestation of Godliness (or Christianity) to produce not only an internal effectious change, when the Word of God very clearly stipulate that our external expressions must not be paraded? This is NOT to say that Tim Tebow is wrong, for he has done nothing to media-ize his beliefs. He is not on the street corners, per se. He is being faithful to his internal convictions, and I applaud him as such.
You have done well in your blogging. There are other challenges and questions that are being presented in this example, and in the example of others.
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