When Tebow was at Florida, I didn’t see the guy I see now because Florida almost always won. Grace in victory is relatively easy. The one time he lost, he cried. That’s not exactly the response I would have wanted to see.
But the Tim Tebow I have seen this year is pretty much the same guy in defeat as he is in victory. He still has his priorities. He still reaches out to others. He still maintains an optimism and humility that seem unshakeable.
I like this guy a lot better than the victor we saw at Florida. He’s been humbled. He’s been broken down. And yet he shows in his grace that football doesn’t consume him even as he works tirelessly to be a better quarterback.
Like some of our political heroes, I worry sometimes that he’s too perfect - that there’s going to be some personal flaw that will surface (see Sarah Palin or Herman Cain) that will disappoint us and cause us to lose hope. Tim Tebow is still just a young man in his 20s and I can only imagine the weight on his shoulders and how it deepens his faith.
No man is perfect and if/when he fails as a person, not as a quarterback, I hope we will respond with mercy and forgiveness which we know the media jackals will not have.
As a Bronco fan of 40 years, I obviously want him to continue to succeed on the field. But, as a Christian, I know living a holy life is far more difficult than reading the defense and hitting the open receiver when the blitz is coming. He seems like such a special person that I’m almost more anxious to see what he becomes when his football days are over than to see what he’ll do in leading the Broncos on the field.
In the Age of Obama, we all need a hero. I want to make sure I don’t worship Tim as much as He whom he worships, although Tim doesn’t make that easy at times. I wish him all the best in life, even moreso than on the field.
Easy to forget that the year Tebow won the Heisman, Florida wasn’t a very good football team, they even lost their bowl game to the same Michigan team that had lost to Appalachian State.
Yes, I am excited to watch this guy play. I am more excited to see how God may use him. I also know (as I suspect do you) that there will be intense adverse pressure along the way. When you see folks like “Lady Gaga” jumping in the discussion I am both encouraged and mindful that we are all made of flesh, king David comes to mind here.
So, it was a thrilling game, but it also ought to give all of us a more determined sense of boldness to bring glory to the only One who is worthy.
Man, you write blather. The guy who wrote that Americans are fickle, is vindicated by you. You think that he’s a good player and may be a hero but you fret that he may have some failing. Man, you don’t want a hero. If you read Scripture, you will read that once upon a time, Satan fit your standards.
Sarah Palin has a personal flaw????
Good luck against the Pats next week. If TT pulls that one off, well, I don't know what to say.
TT: Tim Tebow, not Tom Terrific aka Mr Gisele Bundchen....