Praying for Tim Tebow

 

It has been such a long time since I have posted that I would really like to write something that would earn some attaboys, but I feel that I have to write something that will put me at odds with many of my friends. The subject is praying for Tim Tebow. I  do pray for him. I am impressed with this young man. I love his testimony and obvious love for the Lord. I pray that he will continue to grow in the Lord and that his testimony will become even more powerful. I also pray that he will play his best and that the Lord will keep him safe. Here is where I am at odds with some of my friends: I do not pray for the Denver Broncos to win each of their games. I am not against the Broncos -- unless they are playing the Chargers -- but I am not one who believes that God is on the side of the Broncos, or any other NFL football team either.

"Why are you such a spoil sport, Dick. The more Tim Tebow wins, the wider testimony he has and the more people will hear the gospel. How can you be against that?" Of course the answer is that I'm not against that. I rejoice in the great spread of the gospel. In the next few paragraphs, let me explain my position.

First is the obvious conundrum that occurs when Christians are praying against one another. Do we really believe that there are no other Christians on other teams -- I know that they are there. Do they have the same public persona as Tim Tebow, of course not -- he seems to be one of a kind. But, isn't there something strange when we picture Christians praying for a win by the Broncos, while another group from Pittsburgh (for whatever reason -- perhaps the economy of the city -- or friendship with a Christian on the team) prays for a win for the Steelers. Does God answer the most spiritual prayers -- or the most prayers -- or the most fervent prayers. A football team is an athletic contest designed for athletes to play their best and that, in most cases, the best team will/should win.

I read some comments discussing the Bronco victory with words like, "The Christians win!" Are the Broncos a Christian team? I have read comments by some of Tim's team mates that wish he would stop the Jesus stuff. Maybe it is all of the owners of the team that are Christian -- or all of the fans. The Broncos are professional football team whose owners are trying to make a profit. The players may love the game but they are making big bucks for the privilege. At least last Sunday, the Broncos were the better team -- and yes, Tim Tebow's testimony was broadcast to the world. Great!

I also have concerns that we as Christians all too easily fall into the perverse American trait of "worshipping" our celebreties. We gravitate to Tim because he is a winner. Would we think as much of him if he was a so so quarterback on a losing team. Of course not. Yes, I know that winning increases his visibility -- but even us as Christians, do we love him because his is a brother -- or because we like to identify with a winning brother. Remember that we worship a loser (in the eyes of the world.) Jesus was crucified as a common criminal. The Apostle Paul was beheaded as a criminal. Christians around the world are testifying as (according to the world) being losers that need to be eradicated. Our celebreties in the Christian world are not necessarily the "winners", they are the faithful who run the race and receive the crown from our Lord.

I also have some concerns about Tebow himself. He is a nice young man -- but not fully mature -- he has a lot of life to live. We are putting a lot of pressure upon a young man. It will take a lot for him to live up to being Tim Tebow. I pray that he succeeds. I want him to succeed and I want the gospel to go forth. But, success in the Christian world is not about winning football games. It is about winning at life. I pray that this is where Tim Tebow wins!