HAVE YOU TEBOWED TODAY?

Last night, my son and I went out to eat at a restaurant that showed the football game between the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets. Recently, my interest has been piqued with all the attention, positive and negative, that Tim Tebow, the current quarterback for the Denver Broncos has received. Since he took over as the quarterback this season, the Broncos have 4 wins and 1 loss. Before that, they had 1 win and 4 losses. He is criticized for not being a good quarterback; and yet they keep winning.

What has interested me most is that he is a professing Christian. There are many professional athletes that profess Christianity; but many times, after hearing the things they say and seeing the things they do, I wish they never would have professed Christ. I realize that Tim may start losing every game, and he may bring shame to Christ at some point. But, what I am hearing so far, including from his own mouth, sounds different than the typical professing Christian athletes' response. Even after last night's win, he talked about his faith but he didn't use the typical phrases that are used. He just sounded more genuine. He didn't act as though God was on his side or wanted him to win. In fact, he said that win or lose, he knows what is most important and therefore, he can just enjoy playing, regardless of the result. God is in control.

So, for now, although I don't normally cheer for the Broncos, I am cheering for the Broncos, all because of Tebow. Perhaps you have seen the recent phenomenon on the internet, and elsewhere, that is referred to as "Tebowing". From what I can tell, it comes from the fact that the quarterback kneels in a prayer of thanksgiving after wins and perhaps at other times as well. It received a ton of attention after a win this season, when he came back to win in the 4th quarter. He was shown kneeling in a prayer pose and all of a sudden, "everyone" was doing it. This includes, of course, the Detroit Lions, who beat him the next week and made fun of him.

After last night's win, commentators are using his name in another way. When you get beat by the Broncos, and especially if Tim Tebow helps beat you, you are said to have just been "Tebowed"! I hope he does well, especially if he is truly a follower of Jesus; and especially if that will give him more open doors to share his testimony of faith in Christ. And for the rest of us, regardless of your football allegiances, we can all use a little more, check that, a lot more "Tebowing".

That is, if it means what I think it means to Tim Tebow himself: It means to pray, to remember who gave you the ability to do what you do, and to give Him all the glory". If that is true, then let's take some time to "Tebow" today, even though it is certainly o.k., and probably better, to call it what it is: PRAYER!