|
|
Tebowing Tim Tebow is the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the NFL. He has been in the national media for a number of years now. His parents were “missionaries” in the Philippines when they found out they were to have a baby. During the pregnancy, his mother got a life threatening infection and had to take a drug that could have caused her to lose the child. Doctors encouraged her to have an abortion. Instead they prayed to God for their child and he was born healthy. In high school he was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. After an intense recruiting battle, he signed with the University of Florida. While playing there, he helped them win two national championships: a Heisman Trophy for himself, and finished second in the voting for the Heisman another year. He was already known as a hard worker and very religious. After a loss he promised that nobody would work harder or play harder the rest of the year than the Gators. That was the last loss of the season for the Gators that year. Often football players have some black under their eyes (supposedly it helps with glare from the sun or lights). Tim started putting passages in the black area: passages such as John 3.16, or Proverbs 14.26, or some other passage. Almost immediately, mass numbers of people would Google the passage to see what it says. The NCAA adopted what some have called the “Tebow Rule,” to stop players from putting any words on their faces. He was drafted late the first round to play for the Denver Broncos. Many scouts considered his throwing style to be unsound and unable to compete in the NFL. His first year he sat on the bench to learn the Denver system, but did not play. After losing four of their first 5 games, the Bronco coaches decided to release their starting quarterback and give Tebow the opportunity to play. Since that time they have won seven out of 8 games. However, Tim Tebow has been the object of ridicule by some and admiration by others. He is considered to be very religious by most and a genuinely nice person. The controversy he has caused is due to a number of things. One is a commercial he and his mother did for the Super Bowl last year. In the commercial they explained Tim’s birth and the advice his mother received to have an abortion. This was a pro-life abortion and some considered it inappropriate for the Super Bowl. Second, is after scoring a touchdown, Tebow will kneel down and say a brief prayer to God and also point upward toward heaven. The players of one team mocked him after he was sacked on a play. One athlete said that Tim should keep his religion off the field. I heard one sports figure say that he is wasting the crowd’s time. Some have wondered if it is too showy and if he is doing it to receive personal attention. The term “tebowing” has recently been added to the English language to describe kneeling in prayer to God. So what about his actions and the subsequent reaction? Should he stop? Here are my reactions. Matthew 6.5-6 Jesus condemned the Jews for using public prayer to gather personal attention. The public attention was all the reward they would receive. Instead they should go into a room and say their prayers in private. The abuse being addressed was their motive for praying in public. If Tim is praying to receive public adoration and acclaim then he should stop. However, public prayer is not condemned in the Bible. Various prayers were said in public in both the Old and New Testament. Nehemiah 9 and Ezra 9 records two prayers of confession of sins. Jesus gave thanks for the food as he fed the five thousand in John 6. Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer in Acts 3.1. The church at Jerusalem prayed together in Acts 2.42. Therefore, public prayer per se is not condemned as long as it is aimed at God and not man. Christians are to be the light and salt of the earth, Matthew 5.13-14. I question Tim’s beliefs as a Christian, but not his example of how a Christian should act. As Christians we should not be afraid of being a good example before the world. In fact, this may be one reason that Tebow has received such criticism. He is living a pure moral life. He does not use profanity, does not use drugs, does not drink alcohol, has not been immoral, and surrounds himself with people of a like mind. This is driving the media nuts! He is not a hypocrite. Tim does not believe God is scoring touchdowns or intervening for the Broncos. He realizes God has more important things to do than care about a football game. His prayer is one of thanks to God for blessing him with his talents. He wants God to receive the glory and not himself. Those who say he is wasting the crowd’s time need to think about this. How many players parade around dancing after scoring a touchdown or making a big play? I have not heard anyone say they are ‘wasting time” in their selfish celebrations. Here is a man taking a few seconds to kneel down and thank God. Such is not a waste of time but the wise use of it. Finally, Tebow spends his time outside of football talking about God. He goes to hospitals and charities to help others. His time in the NFL might be short lived or it might be for many years. His success is due to hard work, a competitive spirit, and a belief that he will win. His team mates have also become believers in their ability to win. Perhaps there is a lesson for us as well. Success comes from hard work, doing your best, and believing we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, Philippians 4.13. – Dennis Tucker |