AP photo
Tim Tebow has been in the news lately not for yards gained or passes thrown in the NFL, but for a curiosity deemed “tebowing”. It is being loosely related to ridiculous trends of online postings of planking (people lying like a plank across various items) and owling (people posing like owls in myriad places). This seems to appeal to twenty somethings virtually connected 24-7 and with way too much time on their hands.
Tim Tebow, a quarterback for the Florida Gators and now the Denver Broncos, has a habit of kneeling during football games and taking “a moment of silent reflection” (the pc way to say praying). Online posters are mocking him left and right saying he is a poser and posting pictures of themselves tebowing in front of vending machines, etc. There is a mean spirited bent to these posts, way beyond the typical football rivalry smack talk. You can hate the Gators or the Broncos, but why hate on a man for his character?
In an age of professional athletes and musicians thanking God at every photo opportunity, I get that we have become a cynical nation. However, look a little deeper at Mr. Tebow and you will find a man who walks the walk, not just talks the PR talk. He grew up the son of missionaries, worked in a prison ministry outside of Gainesville, Florida, and spent his last three summers in college helping with his father’s orphanage ministry in the Phillipines. He is open about his faith and his love for God. Is he perfect? No, but he is an easy target.
I like that my boys see a man of faith on TV and in Sports Illustrated. Who could make praying in public look cooler than a college and NFL quarterback? This isn’t new for him (check out the picture below of his last college game). But I have a feeling that his purpose is not to bring glory to himself, but reflect it back to the one he loves. Now there is a trend I can whole-heartedly embrace!
Ephesians 2:8-10: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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Amen sister! Tim Tebow is speaking at the 2012 Chick Fil A Leadercast. Will asked if he could go with me this year! I’m really bummed that he can’t go…school tests and such. Glad to have such a strong role model for my kids!
I don’t follow sports of any kind, but can certainly appreciate a young man of faith. Great post, my friend.
Thanks Diane!