Tebow or not Tebow?

Tim Tebow is as well known for wearing Bible verses on his eye black as he his for his athletic ability. Some feel that this is inappropriate as the following comments posted on Huffington Post illustrate:

"...Athlete's display a lot of bloody cheek when the simply dismiss their teammates in favor of some mythical celestial peeping tom!"

"...the coach should have put a stop to this grandstanding a long time ago. Wearing the eye-black long after the game was over in the post-game interview was just too much."

A number of 'straw man' arguments surface such as the following:

"When I see this kind of stuff I have to wonder what would happen if someone had a reference to the Koran on their face. They b... (complain) about prayer in school but would never allow Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist faiths to be practiced. Bunch of hypocrites."

"Kudos to all the posters who point out that wearing your faith on your face is only okay if you're a Christian. Christians are better served by walking the walk than advertising on their faces."

Then there are some who think that posting Bible verses are used as some sort of superstitious shields against harm or loss...

"It's funny how colleges, coaches and sponsors like to appoint players like they're the "Golden Child" and then when they get to the next level, they choke. So many examples of big name busts. Tebow can write all the scripture on his face that he wants but that's not going to stop some huge defensive tackle in the NFL from trying to knock his block off."

The point is simply this. Tim Tebow is one of those rare breeds of young men who strive for excellence in all that he does. While I cannot speak for Mr. Tebow, I can admire him for, from all appearances, not being ashamed to show that his strength and motivation comes from God and not from himself.

This is a bold and refreshing contrast to some college and professional athletes that think that there talent (let alone their very breath) owes nothing to God.

Mr Tebow's post game interview acknowledged the talent and superior play of Alabama, he did not blame God or his team mates for the loss. He shows class and humility and by wearing bible verses for all to see simply acknowledges that God is the foundation of his life. Is that a dangerous message?

On Saturday, Tim Tebow wore John 16:33 posted on his eyeblack. It quotes the words of Jesus:

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

My first impression of his choosing this verse to display was that it was a bit ominous. Yet, in reality is simply states what many people need to know: That the worlds disappointments are inevitable but they need not be overwhelming because there is a greater reality and comfort to those who who trust in Jesus as their Lord.

By extension, the acknowledgment of God as the source of strength is not unlike the founders of this nation acknowledgement that God is the source of all liberty. They enshrined in their documents that liberty is the right of all men and it is a gift from God Himself. The willful ignorance of this fact and of the reality of God Himself, leads men and nations into perdition.

We need more young men and women like Tim Tebow that are not ashamed to acknowledge that all that they have, whether good or bad is a gift from a loving God that wants us to learn that He alone is the source of all strength and comfort.

Steve McMurray