The July 24, 2009, cover-story in Sports Illustrated is an article on Tim Tebow's bold, unflinching life of faith. The writer makes the following statement, "Having covered Tim for three years, I would say he's the most effective ambassador-warrior for his faith I've come across in 25 years at SI." Wow! How does such a life of faith develop? How does such a young man have such a courageous and contagious faith in this day and age? His school, the University of Florida, is listed in the top "party" schools in the country. So, how can Tim Tebow chart such a different course with his life?
In the article, even his coach has been affected by Tim's faith. His coach, Urban Meyer, decided to take his family on a summer missions trip instead of a cruise as a result of Tim's influence. Tim spends his summers working with slum children in the Philippines. Tim rates leading people to Christ as more important than winning national championships - he has led his school to two national championships and been named the top college football player. How can we raise up Tim Tebows in our families and in our churches?
Part of Tim's appeal is his charisma. He is a fired up guy, on and off the field. People respond by wanting what he has. How do we communicate the same kind of enthusiasm and joy in our faith? Are people being attracted to Christ because of what they see in us?
One of the influential men in my life was Bob Cryder. I learned today that Tim Tebow's dad, Bob Tebow, escorted Bob Cryder and Dave Cetti around the Island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Both Bobs tell stories of carting movie projectors into the jungles and showing the Jesus video and seeing entire remote villages come to Christ, all the while evading Islamic terrorists.
Bob Tebow and his wife, Pam, prayed for a son who would be a pastor, an emissary for Christ. God gave them a quarterback who is an emissary for Christ. May we all seek after the heart of God with the courageous passion of this family. By the way, this is the link to the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Associations, http://www.btea.org/
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1158168/index.htm
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 5:14-16.)
ReplyDeleteI learned that Bob Tebow is a graduate of Western Seminary. What a great example of someone who has unconditionally lived out God's call. So many pastors succeed in ministry at the cost of their family. By God's grace, Bob and Pam Tebow got the whole family wholeheartedly involved. We have much to learn from saints like this.
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