Someone Who Knows What's Good for the Soul Is Good for Our Work Too
Last time we discussed how and why what's good for the soul is good for our work too. We concluded by recognizing the perfect example of Our Blessed Mother. While her example provides sufficient reason to pursue virtue in our lives, sometimes it's good for us to see other, shall we say, less than perfect examples of those who struggle to live good lives. So today, we'll consider one such person: Tim Tebow. While not a Catholic, he openly acknowledges his Christian faith and has publicly declared his love for Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In his recently published book, Shaken (written with A.J. Gregory) we find a young man who recognizes the importance of knowing that God has a plan for each of us; one who, despite setbacks, disappointments, and failures, knows that he must trust in God, a God Who loves us so much that He sent His only begottten Son that we might be saved. I find the book compelling and have recommended it to our sons who, I think, might find it both interesting and inspiring.
I suspect all of us have faced, do face, and will face the struggle against the temptation to despondency, even despair when things don't go our way. In Tebow's case, these struggles intensified since his glory days as quarterback of two national champion Florida Gator footballs teams. His attempts at being a successful NFL quarterback have been mostly failures. And despite his popularity and the money he makes just being Tim Tebow, he writes about how this has been a difficult road for him. He doesn't ask for our sympathy. Rather, he tries to show how important it is for him and each of us to know God, to trust Him, to rely on Him through thick and thin.
The book contains, among other things, examples of "Timmy" (as his family and friends call him) doing what's good for the soul and good also for his work. Who can forget him dropping to his knee on the football field to publicly thank God - a gesture that, while not unique to him, came to be known as "Tebowing" and that not only helped him achieve excellence in his work on the field, but has arguably opened many doors for him to both give greater glory to God as well as, frankly, making a good buck. It inspired many to imitate this gesture, thereby giving witness to their faith in a world that can sorely use more God and less - well, you probably know what.
But it was another public gesture that created quite a stir when Tebow was quarterback for the Denver Broncos - a brief period of something approaching success in his otherwise spotty professional football career. As he had done at times in college, he had a reference to Scripture verse embedded in that black lining football players apply under their eyes. In this case, it was John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting." He had worn this reference previously during college games at Florida and gotten positive feedback. Of course, this was the NFL - an entirely different matter. For Tebow, though, it was business as usual. Witnessing to Christ is simply in his blood, even on the job. As it turned out, the Broncos improbably and dramatically defeated the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers, with Tebow leading his team to victory. What followed will be called coincidence by some. You be the judge. In Tebow's words:
As a postscript, the NFL has since banned writing anything on eye blacks. Why? Ask them. For guys like Tebow, though, there will always be a way to witness. For the rest of us, if we're not in the position to give such public witness to our Faith, we all have opportunities with family, friends, neighbors, etc. And while the workplace may not be an ideal venue for most of us, don't count it out. There's always that co-worker who needs encouragement or a helping hand. You may not move millions as Tebow has, but one soul touched by God's handiwork should be sufficient, don't you think?
In his recently published book, Shaken (written with A.J. Gregory) we find a young man who recognizes the importance of knowing that God has a plan for each of us; one who, despite setbacks, disappointments, and failures, knows that he must trust in God, a God Who loves us so much that He sent His only begottten Son that we might be saved. I find the book compelling and have recommended it to our sons who, I think, might find it both interesting and inspiring.
I suspect all of us have faced, do face, and will face the struggle against the temptation to despondency, even despair when things don't go our way. In Tebow's case, these struggles intensified since his glory days as quarterback of two national champion Florida Gator footballs teams. His attempts at being a successful NFL quarterback have been mostly failures. And despite his popularity and the money he makes just being Tim Tebow, he writes about how this has been a difficult road for him. He doesn't ask for our sympathy. Rather, he tries to show how important it is for him and each of us to know God, to trust Him, to rely on Him through thick and thin.
The book contains, among other things, examples of "Timmy" (as his family and friends call him) doing what's good for the soul and good also for his work. Who can forget him dropping to his knee on the football field to publicly thank God - a gesture that, while not unique to him, came to be known as "Tebowing" and that not only helped him achieve excellence in his work on the field, but has arguably opened many doors for him to both give greater glory to God as well as, frankly, making a good buck. It inspired many to imitate this gesture, thereby giving witness to their faith in a world that can sorely use more God and less - well, you probably know what.
But it was another public gesture that created quite a stir when Tebow was quarterback for the Denver Broncos - a brief period of something approaching success in his otherwise spotty professional football career. As he had done at times in college, he had a reference to Scripture verse embedded in that black lining football players apply under their eyes. In this case, it was John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting." He had worn this reference previously during college games at Florida and gotten positive feedback. Of course, this was the NFL - an entirely different matter. For Tebow, though, it was business as usual. Witnessing to Christ is simply in his blood, even on the job. As it turned out, the Broncos improbably and dramatically defeated the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers, with Tebow leading his team to victory. What followed will be called coincidence by some. You be the judge. In Tebow's words:
Our team's PR guy flagged me down just before my post-game press conference. "Hey Timmy," Patrick blurted out, his face flushed. "Do you have any idea what happened?"
"Uh, we just beat the Steelers?" I started to say something sarcastic, in a joking manner, but dialed it back when I noticed how serious he looked, like he was about to say something really important.Coincidence? Perhaps. In any case, definitely cool. More than that, though, maybe this shows us how doing what's good will not only enrich the soul and the workplace, but will become, in a very real way, an integral part of God's handiwork.
"Do you know that it was exactly three years since you wore 'John 3:16'? And during this game, you threw for 316 yards. Your yards per completion were 31.6. The time of possession was 31:06. The ratings for the night were 31.6 million. And during the game ninety million people Googled 'John 3:16'!"
As a postscript, the NFL has since banned writing anything on eye blacks. Why? Ask them. For guys like Tebow, though, there will always be a way to witness. For the rest of us, if we're not in the position to give such public witness to our Faith, we all have opportunities with family, friends, neighbors, etc. And while the workplace may not be an ideal venue for most of us, don't count it out. There's always that co-worker who needs encouragement or a helping hand. You may not move millions as Tebow has, but one soul touched by God's handiwork should be sufficient, don't you think?
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