Over this past football season, Tim Tebow’s unconventional playing style and string of fourth-quarter comeback wins have sparked one of the most polarized debates in American sports. Is this quarterback for real? But for all the excitement over his feats on the field, there is something else about this man that has caused controversy: his faith.

In discussing this issue with my peers, questions came: Why is he praying in a packed stadium, with millions watching on national television? What is this guy doing talking about his faith in post-game interviews aired live across the country?  Hasn’t he read Matthew 6:1?

Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Besides, what does professional sports, with all its fame and glamour and wealth, have to do with the humble and meek way of Jesus? “Wow,” I thought. “Football  vs. Faith. What a contrast!” But when one man’s faith is so intensely dissected by others, isn’t there a bigger issue at hand? Jesus also taught:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matt. 7:1, 2).

So why am I, along with millions of others, so concerned about somebody else’s faith? What kind of example am I? Have I drawn the line in my heart between the things of this world, and things eternal? Honestly? No. And Jesus clearly warns against judging others:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matt 7:3-5)

In thinking more about the whole Tebow phenomenon, and in questioning the integrity of his  convictions, I’ve come to realize that I need to examine my own faith. Do I live up to all that Jesus taught? Isn’t my life cluttered with unnecessary thoughts, whether it is with the work I do, the plans I have for my future, or the worries I have about what others think of me?  Jesus taught, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matt. 5:8). How much more can I turn my thoughts away from things that don’t really matter and towards the coming of God’s kingdom here on earth?

And then there is Jesus’ warning against storing up earthly treasures:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21)

Do I truly seek to store up treasures in heaven through small and unnoticed deeds of love and service to others? Do I offer a kind word, a helping hand, or am I consumed with criticizing the piety, or lack thereof, of others?  

Football vs. someone else’s faith is not the question. No, the question starts with me and my faith, and whether or not I will live out and boldly testify to what it is I profess to believe. On this point, Tebow has taught me something. For no matter what his shortcomings happen to be, they are surely not greater than my own.

 

---

Your Turn. Tell us what you thought about this article:

Responses

While I agree that Mr. Tebow is apparently quite the football player I would question the need for him to showboat his prayers in front of millions every time he hits the field.

Xeno
Bolivia

---

I dont think God really cares about NFL football games!  If he really did, don't you think he would have healed Tebows' arm by now???..???  But congrats to the author for using the Tebow net to catch a few more fish....

skywatcher43
Charlotte, NC

---

I think Tim is an inspiration to us all.  He is not afraid to profess his faith and give glory to Jesus his Saviour. As God has been gracious to us in sending us Jesus, we too should be gracious towards others and not judgmental.

Lesley
Deal, United Kingdom

---

I like the fact that reflecting on this has made you question your faith. We shouldn't judge but we do because of our own insecurity. By judging others we feel better about ourselves (I used to do it) but Jesus also warned us about that. I believe that if the act is honest and done by a good and honest heart then it is true. Some people do charity work or charity donations just to say that they are good. "Look at me I do charity". Politicians do it all over the place, and that is what the Lord warned us about. Other people do it by heart, because they feel the pain of the needy and less fortunate. Tebow really has a good heart and he does what he does because he feels it, I am sure he has flaws but he really means it from the bottom of his heart. He does charity and missionary work in his off time and reflects about his life. He spends his own money (not that he lacks of it) to take disable kids to the games and because he is a star, he has a platform to spread his faith to millions. I am glad he talks about Jesus and praises him. Other players use their money and fame to party hard, buy things and supercars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis and of course get women. Tebow says that right now he doesn't have time for a girlfriend (I am sure there is plenty of girls who would line up for him) and he is saving himself for marriage. WOW! That's a statement you rarely hear nowadays around these streets. He is catholic and I am not, I don't even care about football (real football is played with your feet. :) .) but I am glad he does what he does because he really means it and we should all work together to praise Jesus.

Ivan
Orlando

---

Although Tebow is a less than talented NFL player, he has used his "faith" as a platform for his own hype and as a way to stay in the headlines. Sports and religion don't mix well, and Tebow would do better to pray behind closed doors, not the gridiron.

Mike