Glory of God …or glory of man?

The recent Cinderella stories and faith celebrations of ‘Linsanity’ (as well as the proverbial episodes of ‘Tebowmania) have spurred half-baked ideas about sports and religion. Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow aren’t the first athletes to make their faith a key component of their athletic persona. However, with the all-increasing degenerative society that seeks personal glory through social media outlets, combined with a sporting industry that continually seeks the glory of man (consider the meteoric rise of LeBron James via Nike’s commercialization of “The Witness” upon his NBA debut, illustrating religious overtones) rather than the glory of God, people openly take notice when the norm is countered.

I find myself somehow troubled, though not by any media ploy, but by the response from some Christians who seek out faith heroes in the likes of the Tim Tebows of the world. They, in one way or another, seek to qualify their own faith. Still further, they assimilate themselves with that specific outspoken athlete and thus reason that they have a proxy disciple and voice for Christ, and in turn find themselves more of a follower of an athlete rather than a follower of the very God that athlete seeks to serve.

Regardless of the spiritual circus that the media has helped ploy and pervert, the examples of these two athletes personally challenge and remind me of Matthew 5:16 which says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” May others, through my example, glorify my God!

Editorial