It is tempting, though. He quarterbacked the Denver Broncos to a big win yesterday, making his record as a starter over his 2 NFL seasons an even 3-3. During that same period of time, the Broncos are 4-14 when he doesn't start. Even when he wins, the "experts" are quick to point out his flaws. He is not an accurate passer. His delivery is too slow. And the ever popular "he doesn't give his team the best chance to win." It's very true that he did not play very well the previous 2 weeks (even though in one of those game he led his team on a historical comeback win), but there are a few things that need to be taken in to account. First of all, Denver is not a very good team (as witnessed by their record without him). Secondly, he has no one to throw to. I follow college football closely, but I have never heard of any of the guys currently playing wide receiver for the Broncos. I am willing to bet his numbers would be much better if he had proven receivers. Or they could just bring in his receiving corps from the University of Florida- Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy, Riley Cooper, Aaron Hernandez- and let him throw to them. That would be a huge improvement. And finally, his team is just beginning to learn that not only does he have their backs as an amazing teammate, but they can also climb on his back and he will carry them. But I'm just going to keep quiet and let his critics keep slamming him.
I mean it's not like Tim has asked for all of this attention. A certain amount of press is to be expected when you are one of the 10 best players in college football history and a first round draft pick. But this has been ridiculous! He draws much criticism because he doesn't seem to play quarterback the way other people have or the way the "experts" think he should. They slam him for being a man of faith; they make fun of him for praying on the field; they wonder if he is not too good to be true. The "Tebowing" craze is quite odd- making fun of a man for praying. But as usual, Tim is unfazed by it all- he's glad to see so many people on their knees. Even those who appreciate him seem to doubt him most of the time. His detractors simply do not understand that his faith in himself comes directly from his faith in Jesus Christ, and that there is nothing that can separate him from that. But he certainly doesn't need me to defend him, so I'll just let others do the writing.
So what if has already had a 300 yard passing game (last year- and many QBs never have one) and 100 yard rushing game (yesterday - and VERY few QBs ever have one)? So what if he has responded with quiet dignity to those who curse him and with Christian love (turning the other cheek) to those who hate on him? He would never want anyone to point that stuff out, because he is one of the most humble people on the planet- while at the same time being one of the most competitive. He knows full well that his strength comes from God, and he is never afraid to say so. His courage - both on and off the field- is unparalleled. But there's really no need for me to write any of that. It should be so obvious to everyone.
I don't know what I should write about today. But if I was going to write about Tim Tebow, I would want to make sure that everyone who read it understands that men like him don't come along all that often, and that even if you don't care for his skills on a football field, you really need to respect his skills as a leader of men and a Christ-follower. He's not perfect, and I don't agree with everything he says or does- but there is much we can learn from Timmy T. I really need to write a post about that someday soon. But right now I need to do a little Tebowing and thank God for His grace and all of the amazing people in my life...
Because of Jesus,
TEEEE-BOOOW!!!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Matt. 6:5-6 in his eye black sometime:
ReplyDelete"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
I know what you are saying Jacob- he can be a bit over the top at times. But it really all about sincerity. In that same sermon Jesus tells us to not hide our light, but to let it shine so that others may see and God will be glorified. We have to find balance.
ReplyDeleteNow that I think about it, here is another thing, and a lot of people do this, not just Tim Tebow... If you are going to ascribe divine intervention to something as mundane as a good play on the athletic field, it might come across as cheapening or trivializing the whole project of divine activity in the world. "His eye is on the sparrow," I know, but sometimes it may have just been bad pass defense, not necessarily the Hand of Almighty God Intervening in Your Little Moment. And if God is showing his favor on his great servant Tim Tebow, could we not also say that God is showing his wrath (or at least displeasure) with the pass defender who ran a bad route?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't really understand why people want to thank God for every little fortuitous thing that happens, but seem to never invoke the Almighty when things don't go their way (although some people do because once when a friend didn't get a close parking space at the mall, she said, "Satan is really attacking us.") So when you throw a touchdown pass, it's glory to God, but when you get intercepted, who's fault is that? I don't really understand. Same thing with "blessings." Someone gets a promotion, and they're "being blessed." So when their neighbor gets laid off, are they being cursed?
Maybe the ancient Hebrews were a little extreme in their fear of even uttering God's name... but I think they had a point: reverence. Ironically, people who bring God into every detail are actually being pretty irreverent, in my view. If God is about some or all of a) creating and sustaining the natural order, b) revealing the divine self to us (through Christ or through nature or however else), c) distributing grace and enabling salvation, d) pointing us toward justice, mercy, and loving-kindness, etc. -- then it seems extremely trivial and actually kind of offensive to bring him into really trivial things like football plays. The Quakers are right about many things, but one of them is this: Sometimes, the appropriate response to the divine is awestruck, contemplative silence.
Anyway, seems to me that if we are going to drag the Almighty, transcendent God of the Universe into every mundane, random detail of our lives, we shouldn't be able to pick and choose.
Just my $0.02.
Interesting thoughts, old friend. I often consider myself blessed, but have never thought about being cursed by Satan or anyone else. I have never been one of those "the devil made me do it" sorts. I try not to pray for the mundane. I don't believe that God manipulates the TD pass, but I don't find fault in giving praise to Him when it happens. I don't pray that there will be extra bacon on my cheeseburger, but I am thankful when there is! I guess I'm from the "all good things come from God" school of thought, making His presence a part of my entire life. But we do agree on this: the Quakers usually get it right, and there often is no greater response to God's majesty than silence. I am "blessed" to have their traditions as a part of my life! :)
ReplyDelete