Riding in my car with an athlete friend of mine. I ask how he stands in his faith in Christ despite pressure to give in. His response: “Do you know how hard it is? Do you know how male athletes in college are? Do you know?!” Dear friend, if you are reading this, I hope you know I write this in love. I thought you may like to see this, if you haven’t already.
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I recently came across Tim Tebow, the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. (I am probably slow to catch on to this one). Tebow has been getting a lot of attention in the media. Perhaps because of his performance in the game; but even more, because he shamelessly proclaims Christ. He kneels to pray during his games, and points to the sky to acknowledge God after every good play (fans seem to have caught on to his quiet time on the field). In his interviews, he always credits Christ for his success. When he’s not on the field, Tebow spends his off season time preaching in prisons and on missionary sites.
Needless to say, a lot of people just don’t get it; and of course, they’ve taken shots at him. Petty and painful ones in fact. Everything from Tebow’s athletic skills to his sexual orientation has been questioned by the likes of talk show hosts, Saturday Night Live, you name it. But as they talk, he keeps performing well, winning advertising contracts, and coming out with a book. In fact, Tebow has had a history of excellence, being the first ever sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, winning two NCAA championships, and being the first draft pick into the NFL in 2010.
What’s my point? I’m learning that regardless of your field and its pressures, it is indeed possible to stand firm in Christ. And to dominate while doing so. What’s more, I remember Obadiah 21: The people of God will live in Mount Zion and rule over Edom. Consider Zion as the realm of those in Christ, and Edom as the world’s system as we know it.
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