I know it’s not very nerdy but I’m a huge sports fan. I watch sports, listen to sports talk radio and talk about sports with my best friends. Really, when it comes down to it, I’m probably just a sports nerd. Sometimes it’s fun but sometimes it’s maddening.
Especially when your team is playing Tim Tebow.
Tim Tebow is the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. His unorthodox style and unapologetic faith have made him a lightning rod in the National Football League. People either criticize him because he isn’t a prototypical quarterback or praise him because he almost always manages to find a way to win. Since taking over as the starter, the Broncos have gone 7-1 and are poised to make the playoffs.
Tebow’s faith is also another aspect of his polarizing nature. He wears his Christian faith on his sleeve and takes every opportunity he has to praise Jesus Christ. Even though it’s somewhat predictable, I like Tebow because of his passion for Jesus and his willingness to express his faith. He’s one of the first public figures I’ve heard talk about Jesus in the same way my friends and I talk about Jesus.
I love seeing Tebow rally his teammates and win games in the final seconds of games. Unfortunately, though, he was doing it to my beloved Bears yesterday. The Bears had a 10-0 lead with five minutes left in the game. That lead turned into a 13-10 loss in overtime. For the past month I have watched Tebow lead his team to improbable victories and I watched him do it again. Only this time it was to my favorite team.
And I wasn’t even mad.
Tim Tebow is doing something incredible. It may not last forever and he may never win the Super Bowl. For now, though, it’s exciting to watch week in and week out. I don’t think God wants the Broncos to win, but I don’t think God minds being glorified through Tebow and the example that he’s setting.
I’ve never met Tim Tebow but I know that we both serve and worship the same God. We’re both a part of the body of Christ and he is the strong arm throwing touchdowns. If he continues glorifying God with his life, then when he wins the body of Christ wins. And I can be a fan of that.
What are your reactions to Tim Tebow?
“…he is the strong arm throwing touchdowns.”
Best description ever.
As a Bears an, I’m good with Tebow playing for the Broncos and winning. I agree that it isn’t that God is a Broncos fan. As long as God isn’t a Packers fan, I’ll be okay. I wasn’t able to get the game here in SD but I was able to stream it off of WBBM.com. Amazing game. And yes, I agree, Tebow wears his faith on his sleeve… just wish more people could do it as authentically as he does…
I just read something a friend sent me saying that in 2009 Tebow had John 3:16 written on his eye blacks during the BCS championship game and over 92 million people googled that verse during and shortly after the game. I don’t know if we can attribute all of that to him but for one man to share the gospel with that many people if only one verse of it is incredibly inspiring.
Tebow is indicative of what Christians should be doing– that sometimes it is the most difficult to be honest and unabashed about one’s faith, even when it is difficult and very unpopular.