Scripture verses that caught my attention today: 1 Peter 4:14-16 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.
Observation: Encouragement for Tim Tebow and the like
Application: One of the big stories in sports these days is Tim Tebow. Tim is well-known for being an evangelical Christian and now that the team he leads is, by some accounts, otherwise inexplicably winning, he’s become the focus of Tebow lovers and haters alike.
I’ve written before that it makes little or no theological sense (at least in light of the New Testament) to tie the winning of games to God’s provision. Jesus himself was a “loser” in terms of earthly success. So those who imply (or outright proclaim) that Tebow’s team is winning because God is on his side seem to be a bit presumptuous in my view.
On the other hand, those who deride Tebow’s faith, scoff at the recent wins, and can’t wait to pounce when the inevitable losses begin to accumulate seem to be missing the point as well. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about trying to live out one’s faith, win, lose, or draw.
I suspect that my understanding of the faith differs from Tebow’s in a fair number of ways. And I am concerned that, with all the attention coming his way, he will likely have what some would call a fall from grace even though I would simply consider it his humanity coming through. But until then and even then, these words from 1 Peter offer significant encouragement for Tebow and, in fact, any of us who occasionally find our faith life to be a focus of scrutiny.
Prayer: Lord, help all of us to simply place our trust in you and not feel overly responsible for anything more than you place along our life’s path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included 1 Peter 1-5)
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