Tim Tebow: Faith, Family, Football…Future

The most polarizing name in sports today:  Tim Tebow.

From magazines to music to media attention—seemingly everywhere you look and listen, you hear of the lore of Tim Tebow.  Never in my life have I seen an athlete so quickly transcend the sports setting to mainstream media as the Denver Broncos’ quarterback has this 2011-2012 NFL season. Sure the world has watched the likes of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and other athletes with astounding God-given ability, but never has an athlete—who to no fault of his own—been praised, ridiculed, and critically watched as Tebow.

Much of the outrage is that he simply doesn’t fit the “norm.” Despite being a non-traditional quarterback, he still finds a way to win; despite being a handsome single man, he still remains a virgin; despite possessing major wealth, he still remains humble; despite encountering unbelievable fame, he still remains genuine; and despite living the classically all-American success story as a NFL starting quarterback, he still remains true to himself, grounded and outspoken in the gospel.

Regardless of what team wins the Super Bowl this year or even who the Broncos’ starting quarterback is for the 2012-2013 season, looking back on the string of victories for Tebow and the Denver Broncos, it has been an inexplicable ride. Filled with late-minute heroics, unexplainable miscues, and unseasonable weather, game situations have seemingly aligned to where the Broncos have had the opportunity to win—time and again—so much so that many onlookers have oft suspected divine intervention.

And while I’m not here to theologically debate God’s “hand” in sports, there’s no discounting the historic doctrine that nothing happens outside of God’s purview and ordination. At the same time I’m reminded in 1 Corinthians that God often chooses men and women that don’t quite fit the “norm” to accomplish His purposes—people that the culture often overlooks through which to show His glory.

Just as God can bring glory to Himself through Tebow and the platform of sports, He can and does use you often at times when you least expect it. Whether it is mopping the floors, serving as a homemaker, watching TV, surfing the web, cleaning toilets, babysitting kids, balancing the checkbook, driving the bus, etc., you can bet that the seemingly unimportant moments in life are, in fact, most important to God.

In closing, though I fear that the Christian community has put Tim Tebow on a pedestal, labeling him as this generation’s Christian poster-boy, I find myself encouraged and challenged by his sincere faith, and bold example of being an ambassador of Christ in any setting. May God be glorified through my life, yours…and Tebow’s.

Editorial