Using Your Platform

An example from Tim Tebow

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Broncos fan, a huge sports fan, or if you don’t even like football…if you live in this country (or breathing on this planet at all), you’ve heard of Tim Tebow.

Tim is the son of Christian missionaries, he was home-schooled by his mom, and accepted Jesus as his Savior at age 7. He explained that character was taught first, before math or other subjects. He honors his parents, and gives credit to his mother for being courageous when she was advised by the doctors to abort Tim due to what they thought were life threatening complications. He said it wasn’t really a choice for her, she never even considered ending the life of her child. This same story later became a controversial commercial that aired during the Superbowl two years ago to honor life as opposed to abortion. While playing football for the Univ. of Florida, Tim also took a stand for abstinence where he publicly confessed he was still a virgin. His beliefs have made him the subject of much ridicule by the world’s standards.

It’s been amazing to watch the controversy over this one man – who is using his God given gifts and abilities, to Exalt the name of Jesus. Tim told how early on how his father explained the amazing platform available to star athletes. This, according to Tim, outweighs the satisfaction he gets from playing football. While with the Florida Gators, he had access to the local hospital. He would spend almost every weekend visiting the children in the hospital, using his “platform” to share his faith.

Over the years, he’s been both a role model to many, and a target of persecution from those who hate his conservative values. However, up until this season, most chose to write him off as a serious player. It took going on a winning streak, with his unconventional Quarterback skills, as well as his bold way of giving thanks to Jesus Christ his Savior after every win, that has gotten the attention of fans and critics alike.

So how is Tebow reacting to such attention?

I haven’t heard him comment on the inappropriate and blasphemous skit making fun of his faith on Saturday Night Live. He’s been portrayed as a joke on several sports newspaper articles, ridiculed on late night television shows, and been the topic of many conversations on the Internet. I’ve seen no quotes of Tim responding to Dave Silverman, the president of “American Atheists”, when he claimed that Tebow was “brainwashing” himself into believing God has something to do with his victories.”

I have, however, heard Tim quoted as saying that he hopes when people think of him, they’ll not only see a football player. In fact, in an interview on CBN, Tim was quoted as saying:

“I hope they say, number one, that this is a guy who loves the Lord, but that he loves people and wants to make a difference in their life. He wants to help everyone he comes in contact with…he’s genuine, real and cares about people. It’s not all about scoring touchdowns, or being famous or anything like that, but it’s about relationships, it’s about making a difference in people’s lives, and at the end of the day, it’s about glorifying God.”

It’s not that we want to put him on a pedestal – he admittedly makes mistakes. He said that’s where the grace of God comes in. However, I do want to acknowledge, and thank him for standing up against the tough criticism, and standing strong for the Lord.

It’s truly refreshing to see a young man in the spotlight, care more about glorifying God than promoting his own ego.

It’s a great reminder to all of us to:

* Use our God given gifts and talents to glorify God
* To be a person of influence and use our “Platform” to give our testimony and share our faith
* Not be afraid of the world’s perspective of who we are and what we’re doing for Christ.
* At the end of the day, it’s not about us, it’s about Exalting His Name!