Tebow Time

I’m not gonna lie - I have absolutely loved what’s been going on with the Denver Broncos this season. A young guy who had been discounted as a loser last year is making an entire team believe they can do amazing things, and they are. I don’t think they’ve lost a game since Tim Tebow took over this year. And he is a good guy, always very humble, giving credit to the entire team whenever he gives press conferences.

I listen to a lot of sports talk radio, and he’s been a very hot topic this season. It used to be about how his style of play is unsustainable in “this league.” Then it was, well yeah he’s winning, but only in the 4th quarter - he’s not good enough to play an entire game well. And of course he’s criticized for running the ball more than throwing it. And there’s plenty more. And that’s fine - he’s very interesting and he’s getting a lot of attention for it.

And of course, if you follow sports at all, and especially if you’ve seen one of his games, you’ve seen him kneeling on the sideline, elbow to knee, forehead bowed on hand - saying quick prayers throughout the game, and pointing upwards when good things happen. When he was in college, playing for the Florida Gators, he used to wear those black things under his eyes and he’d put scriptures on them. It’s quite obvious to the world that Tim Tebow is a Christian.

And that is probably an even hotter topic than his style of play - once you leave the sports talk radio realm. I personally was worried about him being in the NFL, because I knew he’d be a “famous” Christian and anytime that’s the case, people will judge all of Christianity based on the famous person’s words and actions. Honestly, I have been very impressed with him so far. Yes he does the “Tebow” (the one knee thing that everyone emulates and pokes fun of), but that is fine with me, and I think it’s great he’s not ashamed to show his faith in public. I also think his words have been very impressive - always humble, always composed, and not saying anything ridiculous (like “God wants us to beat the Bears” or something like that).

However, there are other people around Tebow who are saying ridiculous things. I heard that his pastor (I know, it’s a rumor) said essentially “God is directly intervening in the Broncos games and helping them win.” I disagree with this and am sorry someone is representing God like that. God does not care what the outcome to a football game is, and He certainly doesn’t help a certain team win, or the converse - which would be that He dislikes another team and wants them to lose.

The more dangerous thing that we’re brushing up against in this Tim-Tebow-is-a-Christian-and-that-somehow-plays-into-his-winning mentality is a Christian supremacy worldview. Some people would have you believe that God likes Christians better than non-Christians, and thus shows them favor. This is a variant on the prosperity gospel idea. If you’re a Christian, God will take care of you monetarily - and your health and relationships too. If you become a Christian, you’ll have it made.

Where in the Bible does it promise any of that??

Hebrews 11 talks about people who were top performing Christians in that day who were sawn in half, beheaded, poor, shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, etc. Verse 39 actually says “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.”

What we gain when we become Christians - if we study the story of Job we know this - is God, and that is far better than anything else, like money, health, etc.
God loves EVERYONE, whether Christian or not. And one of His goals is to bless all people, and the privilege that Christians have is that we get to be a part of that blessing. We get to help bring about restoration and grace to those who need it. I may get sick with cancer and die. I might never have more than a cold. This changes nothing between me and God. God’s business is the eternal things - things that don’t disappear in heaven. The rest of this stuff, football games, wealth, etc. that goes away in that day - as Christians, let’s not try to decide what God’s personal opinion is on any of that. It’s not doing us or Him any favors.

I’m glad Tim is succeeding - because I like watching good football, not because he’s a Christian. I’m glad he’s a Christian - simply because I’m glad he is. And I really hope he can lead the Broncos to another epic victory over the Patriots this weekend!