If you’re tired of Tim Tebow, this article is not for you. I know there are many folks tired of all the Tim Tebow talk. I did however find this part of the article really interesting:
Tebow is a faithful person. He’s full of faith — filled to the top and oozing over the side. It’s central to every part of him. When someone suggested that he mentions God too frequently (and that this repetition is what annoys his critics), Tebow said, “If you’re married, and you have a wife, and you really love your wife, is it good enough to only tell your wife that you love her on the day you get married? Or should you tell her every single day when you wake up and have the opportunity? That’s how I feel about my relationship with Jesus Christ.” This is probably the smartest retort I’ve ever heard an athlete give to a theological question. What possible follow-up could the reporter have asked that would not have seemed anti-wife?
And this, I think, is what makes Tebow so maddening to those who hate him: He refuses to say anything that would validate the suspicion that he’s fake (or naïve or self-righteous or dumb). My guess is that Ryan Fitzpatrick or Aaron Rodgers would blow him away on the GRE, but Tebow has profound social intelligence, at least when he speaks in public. It’s not that he usually says the right things; he only says the right things, all the time. As a result, he fuels a quasi-tautological reality that makes his supporters ecstatic, even if they don’t accept it as wholly valid. This reality is as follows:
1. Tebow is a good person who loves God.
2. Tebow throws many incompletions and makes curious, unorthodox decisions.
3. The Broncos’ defense keeps every game tight. Underrated RB Willis McGahee eats the clock.
4. The Broncos inevitably win in the closing minutes.
5. Tebow humbly thanks God for this achievement (and for all achievements), thereby crediting God for what just happened (and for what happens to everyone on earth).
6. Tebow connects God to life.
7. Tebow is a good person who loves God.
Regarding Tebow’s response comparing his faith to marriage, I would agree with the author of the article that responses like this is what infuriate people (especially those are are antagonistic to Tebow’s faith). He connected God to life and that connects with people.
As a ministry, we highly encourage sports ministries at local churches to do the same thing. When you connect sports to life principles to spiritual truth (and vice versa), it resonates with people. It helps people understand that their faith impacts every area of their life and not just certain parts.
I would encourage you to watch the short video below as Bob Schindler describes this method that we call 3D Devotionals. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time.
