I just read an article in an ESPN Magazine about Tim Tebow, the starting quarterback (for now) of the Denver Broncos. If you've never heard about Tebow then you have probably been living without electricity for the past decade. He was the all-American high school quarterback from Florida who just happened to be home-schooled. Tebow is the son of missionary parents and from day one in the spotlight he brought to the table a missionary mindset, one that was more concerned with the gospel being proclaimed than touchdowns being scored.
After starring at Nease High School (he lived in their district so he was allowed to play there), Tim Tebow went on to an incredible career at the University of Florida. One Heisman trophy and two national titles later, he found himself as a first round draft pick of the Broncos. If you know nothing else about him you might think that this is a great sports story of a kid who can't miss in the pros. But nothing is ever quite that easy.
You see, Tebow isn't your typical quarterback from a stylistic perspective. His arm is strong but his throwing motion is unconventional. He scores just as often using his legs as he does with his arm, which makes him an enigma in pro football where the pocket passer is more highly regarded and utilized. Even though he was a gifted leader in college, many "experts" questioned whether or not he could make it as a pro. After all, it's not unusual for gifted college players to flounder when they hit the pro ranks regardless of the sport. But on top of all of that is the faith factor that he brings. Most people simply don't know what to do with the Tim Tebow who is outspoken about his faith in Christ.
We've seen it time and again where what an athlete does off the field defines him more than how he or she performs on it. Scandals make for better news than touchdowns and that is usually what garners front page headlines. So when an athlete like Tim Tebow comes along and his off field behavior garners attention because of all the good that he is striving to do, it creates a quandary with those who make it a habit to focus on the sensational.
Is Tebow being persecuted for his faith? Is the reason he has yet to play the majority of snaps because those in charge don't want to cave in to the pressure of the large rank of Tebow fans who constantly chant his name? It's hard to say. If he's not ready to play then you simply don't play him. But if he's the best you've got, then he needs to be on the field. But rarely can a conversation occur about Tebow's athletic without their being at least a slight mention of his faith. Is that such a bad thing?
I've heard the question asked so many times over the years that it makes my head spin: "What if ______________ was a Christian? Could you imagine the impact he/she could make for Christ with that platform?" In that blank you can insert any number of well known athletes, artists, musicians, actors, or other holders of the public's fascination. What if? Could Tebow be the answer to this question that many Christians have been asking?
Let me first say that I am grateful for the unwavering testimony of Tim Tebow. I am not a fan of Florida football and so I did not cheer for his teams when he was there, but I still hold out a tremendous amount of respect for him, especially because he is authentic in his faith and is not seeking to intentionally promote himself. What comes his way is what we bring to him. But is it right for us to hope that some great athlete/actor/leader will carry the torch for Christ that He has commanded that we ourselves must carry?
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is one of the most well known passages of Scripture in the Bible. In these verses we receive our "marching orders" from Jesus to take the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth. The book of Acts picks up with this gospel message being spread throughout Asia and the known world, not at the hands of ridiculously famous people but rather because of the obedience of ordinary people like you and me. Yes, Paul was well known, but understand that he was incredibly unpopular with those to whom he was entrusted with the truth.
Putting all of this into perspective, what should drive us most is to see that the gospel is proclaimed at all times and in all places. We should be grateful when those promoted to positions of prominence stand for Christ on platforms that will probably never be available to us, yet that can never be a substitute for our own responsibility to proclaim the beautiful gospel message to those who are without hope. Guys like Tim Tebow can serve as public ambassadors for Christ, but he may never be able to personally reach the student who sits beside you in class or the co-worker that you see everyday. Being an unassuming ambassador for Christ might be the most important calling that you will every have on your life.
After starring at Nease High School (he lived in their district so he was allowed to play there), Tim Tebow went on to an incredible career at the University of Florida. One Heisman trophy and two national titles later, he found himself as a first round draft pick of the Broncos. If you know nothing else about him you might think that this is a great sports story of a kid who can't miss in the pros. But nothing is ever quite that easy.
You see, Tebow isn't your typical quarterback from a stylistic perspective. His arm is strong but his throwing motion is unconventional. He scores just as often using his legs as he does with his arm, which makes him an enigma in pro football where the pocket passer is more highly regarded and utilized. Even though he was a gifted leader in college, many "experts" questioned whether or not he could make it as a pro. After all, it's not unusual for gifted college players to flounder when they hit the pro ranks regardless of the sport. But on top of all of that is the faith factor that he brings. Most people simply don't know what to do with the Tim Tebow who is outspoken about his faith in Christ.
We've seen it time and again where what an athlete does off the field defines him more than how he or she performs on it. Scandals make for better news than touchdowns and that is usually what garners front page headlines. So when an athlete like Tim Tebow comes along and his off field behavior garners attention because of all the good that he is striving to do, it creates a quandary with those who make it a habit to focus on the sensational.
Is Tebow being persecuted for his faith? Is the reason he has yet to play the majority of snaps because those in charge don't want to cave in to the pressure of the large rank of Tebow fans who constantly chant his name? It's hard to say. If he's not ready to play then you simply don't play him. But if he's the best you've got, then he needs to be on the field. But rarely can a conversation occur about Tebow's athletic without their being at least a slight mention of his faith. Is that such a bad thing?
I've heard the question asked so many times over the years that it makes my head spin: "What if ______________ was a Christian? Could you imagine the impact he/she could make for Christ with that platform?" In that blank you can insert any number of well known athletes, artists, musicians, actors, or other holders of the public's fascination. What if? Could Tebow be the answer to this question that many Christians have been asking?
Let me first say that I am grateful for the unwavering testimony of Tim Tebow. I am not a fan of Florida football and so I did not cheer for his teams when he was there, but I still hold out a tremendous amount of respect for him, especially because he is authentic in his faith and is not seeking to intentionally promote himself. What comes his way is what we bring to him. But is it right for us to hope that some great athlete/actor/leader will carry the torch for Christ that He has commanded that we ourselves must carry?
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is one of the most well known passages of Scripture in the Bible. In these verses we receive our "marching orders" from Jesus to take the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth. The book of Acts picks up with this gospel message being spread throughout Asia and the known world, not at the hands of ridiculously famous people but rather because of the obedience of ordinary people like you and me. Yes, Paul was well known, but understand that he was incredibly unpopular with those to whom he was entrusted with the truth.
Putting all of this into perspective, what should drive us most is to see that the gospel is proclaimed at all times and in all places. We should be grateful when those promoted to positions of prominence stand for Christ on platforms that will probably never be available to us, yet that can never be a substitute for our own responsibility to proclaim the beautiful gospel message to those who are without hope. Guys like Tim Tebow can serve as public ambassadors for Christ, but he may never be able to personally reach the student who sits beside you in class or the co-worker that you see everyday. Being an unassuming ambassador for Christ might be the most important calling that you will every have on your life.
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