The disappointment named Tebow

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I would be the first to admit that I don't watch American football/NFL. Even the few times I've tried watching, the game doesn't make sense to me. My hubby loves football and I end up watching a little bit here and there. 

The first time I actually had some interest in the game was when I saw a man kneeling in the middle of a football field and praying. This man would always be thanking his God, every time he was interviewed. I soon learned that his name was Tebow.

At best, he is an average quarterback. His style of playing is erratic. No one knows what to expect from him. When he first started playing, a lot of Christians jumped on the bandwagon and supported him. They expected him to succeed so that they could give God the glory and toot their horn a little bit on how Christians win by relying on God.

Quite the opposite happened. His game went from bad to worse. He was tossed unceremoniously from one team to the other. He played a few games, but for most part, he was left watching in the sidelines.

The Christians who supported him, now slowly started putting their Tebow jerseys away. (Quite understandly, since he wasn't even playing anymore).

I started hearing about him in sermons, like when one speaker said that God wants Christians to be like Peyton Manning, excel in their talents and do their best. Tebow, was well - a bumbling disappointment. 

Some Christians stated that Tebow was being arrogant by saying he should only be a quarterback. He should accept whatever is handed to him. Some questioned why he needed to be so vocal about his faith. He could just be this quiet christian like Peyton Manning, and let his work speak for itself.

But, when I think of Peyton Manning, I think of a talented quarterback. When I think of Tebow, I think of someone who achieved whatever little he did, by relying on God. 

Asking Tebow to accept whatever is offered to him is unfair because everyone has a dream, a passion. When they try to work outside of that, they are miserable in their jobs. 

What I remember about his faith was a childlike exuberance. He rubbed people the wrong way, but it wasn't that much different from my two year old who throws a ball, jumps up and down and then tells me, "Look Mummy, what I did. I threw the ball". Or my son who says, "My daddy taught me how to fly a kite".

His exuberance about God is in your face. You make a choice - you either accept it or reject it. There is no middle ground. To many, that is an embarrassment, especially when one views success as the ultimate goal. 

The Bible is full of examples of pathetic losers, broken, disappointing people who were loved and used by God. I have no shadow of a doubt that God continues to work through the lives of people like Tebow.

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