There have been several times over the last few months where I wanted to share my perspectives on the media darling/villain that is Tim Tebow. To say that people love or hate Tim Tebow is an absolute understatement. He is as polarizing a sports figure as we have seen in our generation, perhaps in any generation. The reason I have resisted to share my thoughts has been a desire to genuinely listen to the criticism and analysis of fans, peers in the league, and of course, the members of the over-analyzing and ratings driven media. As I listened, what I heard was quite revealing and in my estimation highlights something much more significant and deeply rooted in the souls of all men and women.
What has been incredibly apparent in all the discussion of Tim Tebow is the inability of anyone to come to a consensus or present a definitive objective standard by which to judge him. Skill wise he is an average NFL quarterback at best. However, it is unquestionable that he is the reason that the team is thriving after a 1-4 start under a different QB when one considers his numerous clutch performances or listens to the respect his teammates have for him and his leadership. In short, I believe all the debate illustrates a more significant and spiritual truth; the inability of man apart from God to clearly define the difference between good and evil or in other words, absolute truth. If man is unable to conclusively agree on what makes a QB good or bad, how can we even begin to entertain the thought of defining ourselves as good or bad people with regard to our spiritual condition. In 1 Samuel 16:7 God instructs the prophet Samuel when seeking the one God has selected to be king, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Sometimes those who look the best on the outside, like the religious leaders of Jesus’s time on Earth are indeed the worst of sinners. Conversely, there are those that appear to be bad on the surface level, much like the woman caught in adultery, but are the very people whom Jesus forgives and declares righteous.
In conclusion, Tim Tebow has enjoyed the favor of God (not everything going his way, but the sustaining strength of God in all situations) because his heart is right with God, having freely received the love and peace of God through death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 1:14 states, the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. Apart from receiving the truth of God’s word we are wholly incapable of judging correctly and objectively, whether that is something as critical as our spiritual condition or as entertaining as the merits of a certain mile high quarterback.
