Denver Broncos quarterback, Tim Tebow sees the NFL as a platform for witness in the form of an "in your face" display of religious action at the end of most successful touchdown drives and games. The popular young player even displays biblical passages etched on his no glare, black eye strips. Hey, to each his own, I suppose.
Still, Jesus did say on one occasion, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (see Matthew 6:5-8 for statement and context).
Even thanking God for the blessings of life can get complicated. Don't you think?
It seems important to be very thoughtful about how we pray and about those things for which we pray. Prayer should be a time of deep reflection, a private alignment of human life with the values of faith as we come to understand the agenda of God. What do you think?
I think it's refreshing compared to what you see in most famous athletes.
ReplyDeletePopular post-touchdown celebratory end zone antics are "it's all about me!"
ReplyDeleteTim's quiet kneel down is "it's all about Him!"
From the quoted prayer "Make me concerned enough
to help, by word and deed,
those who cry out."
If even just one viewer in deep despair takes a knee and is comforted, well, Tim has done a good thing.
I agree with Wayne: if other athletes can direct all the attention to themselves, then why would it be problematic for Tebow to direct attention toward what he believes is the source of his success? It might not be what I would do, but it's a lot better than prancing around saying "look at me."
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