Wow. Quite a story, huh? I want to start out by saying that I have the utmost respect for Tim Tebow. Obviously I don't know the guy personally, but his willingness to stand up for the gospel is unreal. He truly is unashamed. "For I am unashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."" - Romans 1:16-17. In the face of ridicule and adversity everyday, Tebow somehow manages to keep his powerful testimony. How does he do it? I mean, he has everything at his fingertips that the world says should make him satisfied. Women, money, fame, all of it. But amidst the scoffers and haters he still holds fast to his faith in Jesus Christ. This is a pure example of bearing fruit and living out the life of a believer. So many athletes talk a good talk and say that they love Jesus and want to serve Him, but how many are truly sincere? Tim Tebow is one of a few athletes that I have seen who truly walk the walk of a follower of Jesus Christ and isn't afraid to proclaim His name. Every young athlete out there should look up to Tebow and take a lesson from his walking testimony. We as coaches need to take a page out of Tebow's book and live a life according to the gospel. If your coaching buddies want to go out and get drunk, be unashamed of the gospel and say no. "But coach, I need to go out drinking with other coaches so I can network and get a job." No you don't. "But coach, if talk about Jesus all the time with coaches who don't believe the same things I do I will get laughed at and lose my opportunity of coaching college basketball." Maybe. But in the big picture does it really matter? The only thing that matters is eternity and in the big scheme of things following Jesus is the only thing that matters. Your coaching career is not what matters. The championships you win don't matter. Being unashamed of the gospel is what matters. Tim Tebow is unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and he has to take persecution on the biggest of all stages. So coaches, man up, humble yourself, and follow Jesus Christ. Live your life so God will say, "well done my good and faithful servant." I feel burdened for men such as the the comedian in the video, John Oliver, who are destined for an eternity in Hell and don't even realize it. Let's continue to pray for lost souls and keep bearing fruit everyday! Live a life worthy of the gospel and proclaim the name of Jesus every chance you get. I challenge you to coach with integrity and follow Jesus Christ. Are you unashamed?
"All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." - 1 Peter 1:24-25
Thanks for the post!!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated what Urban Meyer said in response to the question of what Tim Tebow's mission in life is. He said it was to expose people to his Christian faith and have them make a decision. It's not in his - or our - power to dictate what the choice will be. They are free to reject it if they so choose. It is not condescending or arrogant or obnoxious to belief something, contrary to what some of the critics in the ESPN piece felt. Painting bible verses in his eye paint does not "tell you how to live your life." It tells you how he lives his life and what he believes about the way you are living your life, but you are free to ignore that or to reject that or to embrace it.
I am grateful for people like Tim - and many others in lots of other places - who are believers in Christ and are willing to live in such a way that others are exposed to that faith and given the opportunity to make a decision. The Gospel's ramifications are being lived out in his life - wherever that is - whether he is winning the Heisman or sitting on the sidelines.
Thanks for this post!