Tebow's Platform

The Tim Tebow phenomenon has taken captive millions of football fans, both for and against. How might a quarterback with poor throwing motions and runs too high able to lead the pitiful Denver Broncos team into the playoffs? Well, that is a question that merely scratches the surface of the controversy around this Heisman Trophy winner. What makes Tim Tebow the conversation on every talk show each and every day is his public faith in Jesus Christ. Tim Tebow is an outspoken Christian. In a mocking tone, broadcasters laugh at Tebow praying toward God as if he needed a miracle to win football games. In blasphemous words, American football fans remark how God ought to be isolated and contained inside private quarters or that God must be a Broncos fan by divinely intervening on the football field to help Tebow win.

Although the disgusting mess of American football, which is promoted by every vice in this land in TV ads, is controversy enough to discuss in a pastor's blog, quite frankly I am uninterested to shout into the wind and rebuke a scoffer (Proverbs 9:8). However, I have great interest in Tebow's remarks and worldview in regards to football as well as the media attention. Tebow told a reporter, "I want to make a difference with my platform." That's right, platform. Tebow sees football competition as nothing more than numbers, and his own involvement in football is nothing more than a platform to display the glory of God. That is it. God's glory surpasses anything and everything humanity makes to glory in. At the end of the day, sports is just numbers; God's glory is eternal and shines bright.

Tebow's platform is football. He is on display on every TV station, he is asked questions and must respond knowing millions of people will mock him, and he is even discussed on ESPN around the clock! Tebow is not financially suffering and quite frankly has a cool job. Yet, he is constantly mocked and ridiculed, not for his football talents or losses, but his faith in Christ Jesus. Tebow does not simply thank a generic god for his performance or a win, but praises the One, True God for simply giving him a platform to tell others about Jesus. Tebow says he does not pray for a victory on the football field, he simply thanks God for giving him talent and a platform to tell others about Jesus.

We each have a platform given to us by God to display His infinite glory. Perhaps we will not be discussed on talk shows across the world by sharing our faith or mocked and insulted by millions. Perhaps we will simply be laughed at by a co-worker or ridiculed by the hardened heart of our next door neighbor. There are great lessons taught by God through His servant Tim Tebow. We shouldn't be satisfied praying for our well-being or getting a raise at work, but rather pray that God would give us a platform and ability to display His infinite glory no matter how big of stage He gives us. If God can give a faith strong enough to endure the angry mockery of millions such as the faith He gave Tim Tebow, He can give us a faith strong enough to endure the scoffing of a few dozen. Let us share the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in whatever platform God gives us that we might be found faithful servants displaying God's glory in our lives.