by BJ Rudge
Sports have taken a central role of influence in our culture. They have become a major focus of our time and finances. A woman recently asked me to keep her husband in prayer as he was to undergo heart surgery. She told me the original date for the surgery had to be re-scheduled because her husband did not want to miss watching his favorite football team play their next game.
Besides allowing our lives to be controlled by when our sports teams play, many people also have the tendency to deify their favorite athletes. Despite the character they possess and the particular faith (or lack of) that they hold to, these people will wear their favorite players’ jerseys and disregard their off-the-field moral failures for their on-the-field athletic successes. For example, I had a conversation with a good friend about a popular athlete who was arrested. Despite the poor decisions made by this athlete, my friend still placed this individual on a pedestal because of his athletic abilities. In her mind, she did not have a problem with the discord between this athlete’s character on and off the field.
While sports are not inherently wrong and can have many positive benefits, when taken to an extreme, like the above examples, they can easily become an idol in our lives.
A recent story took national attention during the playoffs before the Super Bowl. It is a good reminder of the role that sports should have in the life of a believer. The story had to do with Tim Tebow. If you followed this story, then you know the importance that faith has in Tim Tebow’s life. Despite his successes and failures this season, he was consistent in acknowledging that Jesus Christ is the most important thing in his life.
Tim Tebow’s testimony for Jesus Christ should be a reminder for all of us to keep Jesus Christ as the main priority in our lives. Also, his testimony should be a challenge for us to live out our faith with integrity. Regardless of our occupation, we should strive as Tebow to use the opportunities that God has given in our lives to fulfill the Great Commission.
As Tebow has lived out his faith in the sports arena, two other issues have arisen that are also important for us to consider.
First, what should be the main pursuit/goal of our lives? The story of Tim Tebow is a great reminder that, just as in sports, as Christians, our ultimate goal in life is not to win or be successful, but to honor God with our talents and the opportunities that He has put before us. For some of us, God does this by doing extraordinary things in our lives that enable us to testify to His faithfulness and power. For others, God allows us to go through trials and challenges and face defeat so that through these experiences we can bear the burdens of others (Galatians 6:2), and bring honor and glory to God in the midst of them (1 Peter 1:6-7). Regardless of which path God has us take; our goal should not be to seek temporal rewards and personal glory, but to seek eternal rewards and His glory. So let us do as the apostle Paul admonishes: Press on toward the goal of Christ-likeness (Philippians 3:12-14).
Second, are we counting the cost for following Jesus Christ? Many people have raised the question as to why Tim Tebow was being attacked in the media. Certainly, the integrity and character that Tebow displayed should be a breath of fresh air in a culture where it is lacking, especially among professional athletes. Yet, despite the fact that Tebow is humble, gives of his time and money to support those who are less fortunate, and lives out what he preaches, many in the media have attacked him with unbelievable verbal assaults. The climax of these assaults occurred by a well-known TV comedian who not only ridiculed Tebow when he lost a football game, but also made a derogatory remark about his faith in Jesus Christ.
For many of us, we simply cannot grasp why people would attack a person who is a great role model for our children. Yet, this should not be a shock to believers. Jesus told us that just as He was persecuted and maligned by the world, so too the world would do the same to us for being His followers (John 15:18-20). The hostility that Tebow encountered for his faith in Jesus Christ should cause all believers to pause and think about how the world around them perceives their faith in Jesus Christ. We need to remember that the more we live like Christ the less we will live like the world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15, 16). Unfortunately, I fear that many believers today find themselves comfortable with the world and more willing to remain silent about their faith than to face rejection or cause tension with others.
Certainly, we should not seek to create problems with other people. However, we live in a world that in too many ways is in direct opposition to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Therefore, to live for Him will necessarily lead you into opposition with the world around you. Maybe the real question we should ask ourselves is not why was Tim Tebow harassed for his faith, but why do we not find ourselves being persecuted for our faith? While we should be known for our love, let us not forget that we need to step out of our comfort zones and live out our faith with integrity and boldness.
Yes, it may cost us something to live for Jesus (Matthew 10:38, 39), but in the end it will be worth it (Romans 8:18-21).
