I love Tim Tebow. Love him. I love that he is living out 1 Peter 2:11-12 which says, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
As a Christ Follower we are commanded to not make this world our home. That means that we don’t get so comfortable here that we forget that our real home is Heaven. But at the same time we aren’t supposed to ignore people while we are visiting earth. In fact we are to live such good lives that people take notice of our God. Eh huh, eh huh, cough cough, Tim Tebow.
Now the question that was being asked before he was monkey stomped in the second round of the playoffs was “does God care about football?” The answer is…
No. I don’t think that God cares about football. God cares more about our actions, and how we treat people. Check this…1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It’s God’s will that we give thanks in all circumstances and find joy in Him despite our circumstances.
So God doesn’t care if Tim Tebow wins or losses. He cares how he lives this life, how he responds to loses, and how he treats others. BUT…
I’m not 100% sure that God didn’t play some part in the Patriots going to the Super Bowl. Do what?
Ravens defensive standout Terrell Suggs said the following when asked about Tim Tebow – “”With all due respect, we don’t need God on our sidelines,” the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker said. “Once again, God had to save Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. He (Tebow) couldn’t even give them two drives? 7 to 3.”
Okay, I’m not saying that God played a part in the Ravens missing a field goal, dropping a touchdown, and getting eliminated from the playoffs by the New England Patriots. I’m not saying it, but I am hinting at it.
The Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Um…if I’m an NFL player, and I don’t believe in God, I’m learning from Terrell Suggs. Maybe you don’t think you need God, but I wouldn’t challenge Him publicly.
Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?
I don’t know. This has to be one of the least compelling Super Bowls in a while. I dislike both teams, so I don’t even know who to root against.
Larry, who do you like?
I’m not a Redskin fan. The Redskins beat the Giants twice , and lost to the Patriots this season…hence is my conclusion, if the Giants win they should give the Lombardi trophy to Washington…
Ron, that’s funny stuff. Aren’t you a Steelers fan?
I agree God cares more about what we do than football. However (big comma), I will say that as a Christian there is only one football team you should be a fan of ……..New Orleans SAINTS. Makes sense right?
Joseph, it does make sense. Although I think he might become a Broncos fan.
The Giants have to win it just because Tom Brady does Ugg’s ads!
Scott, did you know Australia day was this week? You should have rock’d some Ugg’s just for that day.
Interesting angle on this one. A fun topic to think about, but I don’t think it’s one where there is an easy answer. How many folks in a packed stadium and watching at home pray fervently that their team will win?
Daniel, agreed. That’s why I don’t think God really cares. At the same time I don’t want to ever say things like I don’t need Him.
Nice balanced approach on this one.
Thanks Mim.
I’d like to think that Terrell Suggs got some payback for his comments. I agree whole heartedly with the “don’t mock God” statement. I sure hope TS gives it some thought while he watches the Super Bowl from his couch!
I “watch” football ALLLLLLLL the time. (I’m in a house full of males. It’s either watch or be alone all the time) I should know who is going to the Super Bowl, but I am not sure, because I really don’t care. Will I be watching? Of course! That’s where my boys will be, so I will be too!! (true love
)
Gayle, it’s the Giants and Patriots. I love that you watch this with your boys. Fun!
It’s foolish to think that God will “give Tebow” victories. God is concerned about saving lives and reconciling humanity with Himself. However, if He did, He would be a Yankees fan and a Giants fan.
Oh, BTW, Giants win 34-28. Superbowl champs. I attend parade, get my butt cheek autographed by Eli Manning. count on it.
Moe, I want to see proof of this and a guest blog post if it goes down.
The “God doesn’t care about x” argument drives me batty. He’s GOD. He has NO LIMITS on his ability to do ANYTHING. He can care about everything ALL AT ONCE. I know we can’t comprehend that, but we don’t need to be able to comprehend it for it to be true. Does God have priorities? Well…maybe, but I don’t we can really answer or comprehend that, either. Sometimes you just have to shrug and say “I don’t know — ask Him.”
So, in summary: unless directly stated in the Bible, it’s the height of arrogance to presume anybody can say God does or doesn’t “care” about something. Typically the people who say God doesn’t care about x, y, or z are people who don’t believe in God in the first place. In other words: they’re trolling us Christians. Don’t feed the trolls.
As for the Super Bowl: As a Michigan fan I’d like to see Brady get another win. As a human being I’d like to see the Manning family never win anything ever again. So…go Patriots.
Burrill, very true. I meant more that He doesn’t intervene. He’s not helping Tebow get victories. At least I don’t think so.
I’m pretty sure the apostle Paul warned the Ephesians that you can’t be both a Christian and a New England Patriots fan, so I suppose I’d prefer to see the New York Football Giants win this one.
Joseph, you bring up a great point. Plus according to SNL Bill B. is the Devil.
I think the Patriots will win. I want the Giants to win. Ultimately I don’t care as I don’t care for either team… I am just happy I don’t work during the Super Bowl this year.
Also Rob, the week of Feb 13th…will your readers be needing a mind dump to make up for your absence? That is what I am thinking, a guest mind dump.
Joe, it’s never been done before. I like it. Feb. 15 a guest Mind Dump from you. Can’t wait. Email it to me the week before…if you can. My email is robshep.com@gmail.com.
My mind has already begun dumping. I will get it emailed to you the 2nd week in Feb.
Ooo, guest mind dumps…so much material that is bursting in my mind, waiting to be voiced/blogged
This is hilarious man. I knew about Suggs’ comments. I knew how the Ravens got their hearts ripped out. I never put these two things together.
God is not mocked.
Kevin, very true!
Not a football fan – I’ve never understood the game. People have tried to explain it to me – but it just is wasted on me. I very much respect Tim Tebow and what he stands for – it’s made quite an impression on my 20 year old son and others in his age group – very cool.
Cindy, agreed. I love the impact that He’s having.
I think God cares about football insofar as people care about it and He cares about us, and by extension, what we care about. I don’t think he roots for a particular team. I do think that he rewards his faithful and that his faithful can find strength beyond themselves simply by having faith. I believe that Tim Tebow has been able to succeed because of this faith. Not because God is directly affecting his passing or running or any other aspect of his gameplay, but because Tebow put his faith in Christ and through that faith he has been able to perform beyond himself. And I keep thinking how wonderful it is that, because of Tebow, even sportscasters have been talking about God.
As far as the Super Bowl…by familial obligation I’m rooting for the Patriots (wife’s cousin does videography for their homegames: the better they do, to more work he has).
Randal, you continue to impress me. Your cousin does video? Awesome!
I’m a Patriots fan for the same reason as my Dad, but I think my main team is the Steelers. I don’t know exactly why I favor them. I think I favor them because at one point I hopped on “the band-wagon” and I stayed on their wagon when people got off. I also like the Steelers because they play well and because Palomolo makes some funny comercials.
I love the thing with the Ravens. We have the ability to be good, but God has the ability to make us amazing.
Sean, very true!
Tim Tebow is a class act. Maybe not a great QB, but a stallar human–because he’s plugged into Christ. God may not be a respecter of persons, but my experience is that He sure seems to honor those who honor Him and His ways. “He abases the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Even in–perhaps especially in–our defeats: He gives grace.
And win, lose, or draw, it’s how we “play” that matters.