Yesterday I was asked to do a TV interview on Tim Tebow. This time the focus was positive. Tebow is very polarizing. People either love or hate him (see my blog on 10 reasons for Tim Tebow Hate).
One of the questions asked was how does Tebow’s faith affect his performance and his team? My answer was that his faith permeates everything he does. Because his faith is real, it is a part of him that doesn’t get sidelined when he steps on the football field. His love for God isn’t an add on. When you live a life serving others, allow God to give you a heart of compassion and truly believe that nothing is impossible, it shows in every aspect of your life. The impact of his faith is that it brings out the best in him and those around him.It raises people up.
Think about it. When ego is not the driving force, the end result is to encourage and empower those around you. And the mark of a true leader is to influence, but to do so with humility. So far, this is the Tebow we see and why we love him so much. This type of leadership, in which football in only a game, and character rules the day, is sorely missing in the world of professional sports.
Tebow embodies the words of Christ–they shall know us by our love. According to 1 Corinthians 13, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Why do we love Tim Tebow? We are drawn to his love, the love of the Father, evidenced in him.
So whether or not Tim Tebow continues to win (he is highly competitive and loves to win) is not what Tebow is all about. His greatest strength is love. Raised by a missionary father who taught him the value of all people, that God so loved the world that HE gave, Tebow gets it. And at a time when we are desperate to find real heroes of the faith, Tebow comes along and gives us hope.
P.S. If my beloved Chicago Bears had to lose to a team this past week, I’m glad it was Tim Tebow who led the rally.
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