Reflections on Tim Tebow

I believe in suffering.

I believe it’s meant for our good and that it’s part of God’s plan for the Christian’s life.

But lately I’ve noticed that I tend to over believe in suffering, and under believe in God’s favor.

It’s easier for me to explain bad things in the light of the gospel than to simply receive good things from the hand of my loving Father.

It’s easier for me to live in need and grow in dependence on God than to drown in the overflow of abundance.

It’s easier for me to give than to receive.

Maybe it has a little to do with my background. I’ve been taught to shun all things that even resemble a prosperity gospel and that’s a good thing.  After all, Christ didn’t die to make me rich, or to guarantee my comfort.

I get that. I’m comfortable with the fellowship of His suffering. I’m a cup half empty kind of person by nature anyway. I tend to spiral negatively at the least bit of pressure. I tend to expect bad things to happen, and fully trust that God will help me through the tough days.

I get leary when things look too good to be true. I get suspicious when God’s favor seems overflowing. I’m always glancing over my shoulder trying to spot the avalanche of suffering that’s sure to be around the next bend.

God’s favor? Surely it exists in the esoteric sense. Surely it exists in the future sense. Someday we will all live eternally with Him. There will be no more tears, and no more pain. There will be no more crying.

But until then, I’ve gotten pretty comfortable in my suffering. I find safety in it. I find familiarity in the cocoon of its dark walls.

Until I watch someone like Tim Tebow and my theory gets completely blown out of the water.

That God would pour His favor on one of His children seems too good to be true. That God would unleash His blessings on one of His own seems too…overwhelming, stunning, arresting.

Those who don’t know God stand on the edge of their beliefs refusing to believe that such a God exists. Such a God may be worth following. Such a God may be worth giving up everything for.

He’s a God who fights for His own, a God who won’t stand by and allow others to laugh at those who stand up for Him.

He’s a God who loves above and beyond what the mind can grasp.

He’s a God who wrecks every preconceived notion about life, and purpose and plan.

Those who do know Him stand on the edge of their minds flabbergasted that that same God could pour His favor on them, that that same God could exceed their soul’s expectation.

He’s a God who loves intimately, personally.

He’s a God who gives and gives and gives again.

He’s a God of mercy, a God of grace, a God of hope.

He’s the resurrection, the life, the way, the light.

He’s worthy to be followed, worshiped, and adored.

Not just as a means to make it through the difficult days – and they are many. But also when the sun is shining and the blessings overflowing, and goodness abundant.

The sun will shine. The rain will come.

Zechariah 10:1 says “Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.”

It’s raining on Tim Tebow right now and the rest of us watch amazed.

It’s hard to deny such a God.

It’s easier to mock Him.

The honest will seek Him. The humble accept Him.

And His children will run to Him and praise Him while hope grows one amazing victory at a time. 

Tim Tebow’s God is my Father too and that makes me want to shout out and sing.

While I wait for the rain to come.

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