Learning From Tim Tebow

By Alicia Cohn

I’m not a football fan, but this season is the closest I’ve come to being one. This Saturday I’ll be glued to the NFL football playoff game between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. I’ll be rooting for Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow.

Students suspended for "Tebowing"

Last month, 3 high school students in Long Island, New York, were suspended for "Tebowing" — mimicking Tebow's signature one-knee kneel—in their school hallway. The school claimed the move created "a safety hazard."...Tebow’s signature move started as a bow to God. Tebow says “Tebowing” is “to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else is doing something completely different.”Tebow…attracts plenty of criticism, ranging from the ignorant to the outrageous…But I had a totally different reaction--it shows conviction.

Christians tasked with witnessing

Some might dismiss Tebow as an exaggerated witness… But it’s not true. Every Christian's task is to witness to the grace that saves…Tebow is a guy doing his job while making it clear he’s a Christian. All Christians should emulate that. Tebow is brave…NFL football is not a workplace known for incorporating Jesus. Tebow created that space, and made it a place of praise. And he started long before he played for the NFL …

It takes conviction to demonstrate Christ in the workplace. I can't imagine "Tebowing" with every professional achievement in my office. But I can imagine blessing my food in public, refusing make decisions without praying first, and talking to coworkers about my faith when appropriate. Like Tebow’s job, most jobs…involve taking or giving of credit. Every job provides chances to graciously interact with others.

Who gets the credit?

If you’re a conscientious worker, ask yourself: Who ultimately gets the credit? Do observers see you’re motivated by God’s love? Or do they just see you? Few jobs require face paint like a quarterback. But many offer the chance for pins or jewelry or prints on the desk. It’s easy to allow others to attribute goodness to us. Directing attention to Christ means making an effort not to “pass” for being a non-Christian. That kind of Christian witness is transformational. It can…inspire someone to ask a question, pick up a dusty Bible, or reconsider “religious freaks.”

Everybody's talking about Tim Tebow…It brings benefits. “John 3:16” became the top Google search following Denver’s surprise overtime win. As Tim Tebow said, "At least it's being talked about, and that's a cool thing.”

There’s a lot of respect for Christians unafraid to represent Christ. People notice them--whether people react with hatred or adulation or interest. That's the impact I want to have on my workplace…

Tebow threw for 316 yards—reminds me of John 3:16

Our culture places football in a place of idolatry. But Tebow…has used his pedestal to point up to Jesus. You know what? Jesus can “complete that pass”… No human could have planned that last Sunday, Tebow threw for 316 yards and averaged 31.6 yards per completion—it reminds me of John 3:16.

The Bible indicates God is more interested in calling His people back to Himself than helping them win football games. Last weekend Tim Tebow helped both.

Edited from Her.meneutics: Learning from Tim Tebow about Workplace...by Alicia Cohn in Christianity Today

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/women/2012/01/learning_from_tim_tebow_about.html