It has been an interesting thing for me to follow after re-forming much of my learned evangelical and pentecostal beliefs ..this concept of Christianity and sports.
I used to thank God for getting me a great parking spot yesterday and then wonder why I had to walk 1/2 mile in the rain the today. Did I lose favor? What did I do? (Another discussion for another time)
ANYWAY~
You have players like Tim Tebow that boldly claim their faith on their face, you have players thanking God after touchdowns or big plays.
But my question I wrestle with, is does God even care?
Really. Lets look at this.
Last night you had the Florida Gators led by all-star stud Tim Tebow poised to dominate the SEC and take the National Title. Time to go 24 -0 and become the most dominant football team seemingly ever.
But they lost. No, they got KILLED! At the end of the game, you have a shot of Tim Tebow on his knee with eyes wet, trying to hold back the tears. Now understand..some people really scoffed at his tears.."It's just a game!" "Is he REALLY crying!?"
But I understand where he was at. It was the end of an era for him. It was the finale in a culmination of huge wins and history. And they-got-killed.
No National Championship, no re-do, no next year. That was it. So I totally get it. He gave his all in football as he should and as God calls us to with whatever it is we do. So, some tears. Good for him. It hurt. Because he gave it everything!
But here is what I also noticed: Tim Tebow praying on the sideline somewhere in the first half. What was he praying for? That God give him favor? That God allow him to play his best?
That God turn the Tide around?
See, I do not doubt that God had his hand in allowing a man like Tim Tebow to be in the spot-light like he has been. From what I can tell (from the outside) Tim has done an amazing job of representing Christianity and a man of character and integrity. I have great respect for him.
What I ponder is whether God allowed all the fame and dominance so Tim and the Gators could understand humility? Did God allow Tim to flourish and refine so he can show us what a man of God really looks like in the face of adversity?
Or is it that God is not really that interested in the game and how everything plays out,
but more interested in who we are regardless of our circumstances...?
