“I’d just like to thank God for this win” says the athlete. Speeches beginning like this have been popular for what seems like forever. On a similar level, the image of a player scoring a touchdown and taking a knee in prayer is another popular icon. So why all the fuss about Tim Tebow? And what kind of sense can be made of the catch phrase Tebowing? Here’s some perspectives to consider.
The issue that most people take with those who thank God after success is that it ALWAYS comes ONLY after success! We never see a Defensive Back drop to a knee and pray with the Receiver who just beat him for a TD. How about a QB who throws a game ending interception? Or has there ever been a kicker who misses a game winning field goal and strikes that familiar pose of prayer? The critics of people who thank God rightly have a bone to pick when you consider this context. It depicts God simply as a genie that can help you succeed. So why does God only care about winners? Why does God love them more than the other team?
The truth is that He cares equally for both. The problem, however, lies in that we have grown accustomed to equate God’s blessings only with our own definition of success. Should we succeed, then lets thank God. If we fail, God obviously didn’t show up today. Right? In reality, the player who missed the field goal, threw the interception, fumbled, or just got beat for a score should just as readily drop to knee and thank God for the air that fills their lungs. They should thank God for the innate talent to play professional sports or even be able to walk for that matter. Non-Christians and Christian alike are greatly misled when we fail to realize that the sole reason we were born and continue to live is because God allows it. Therefore, for athletes to only acknowledge their victories as God’s handiwork is simply wrong. I’m not sure I’m advocating guys praying all over the field every play but there’s no reason we couldn’t see someone replicate what Colt McCoy did a few years back. After getting hurt and losing in the Rose Bowl a few years ago he gave God the glory in all things; even in adversity.
On the other side of the coin, there are those who have chosen to mock Tim Tebow’s profession of thanks as he kneels. Like mentioned earlier, I can definitely see the perspective that thinks this practice to be joke-worthy. However, I have questions for those who choose to make light of “Tebowing.” What if God is real? What if He is who He says He is? If He thinks this is mockery, what then would He think of you jokingly kneeling to pray to Him? The justifications are easy to anticipate; “It’s just a joke, I’m sure God has a sense of humor,” “I’m not mocking God, just Tebow,” and so forth. My response: “You may be right, and God might be laughing right with you but is this really something so important to be involved with that you’re willing to take a chance?”
Today being Halloween, there is undoubtedly that one house in your neighborhood whose goal is to incite fear in trick-or-treaters. We truly fear things when we believe that they pose a threat to our life. Or if we believe that something is willing and able to exercise its power over us. Scanning through some of the thousands of pictures on Tebowing.com, I found a scarce few to be reverent as most made it clear that we have very little fear of God. The major theme of human belief that this Tebowing scenario reveals is this: We aren’t that bad and God definitely isn’t that good… if He even exists at all. Yet in scanning over a hundred pictures I recalled several passages of Scripture that speak to the point that someday, “every knee shall bow.” Maybe some of these people are just practicing…
