Tebow’s Purpose is My Purpose by Peter

Tebow’s Purpose is My Purpose by Peter - July 2013 Scholarship Essay

Tebow’s Purpose is My Purpose
            Over the course of these last few years, Tim Tebow has established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of college football. As a top prospect in the National Football League, he has a remarkable resume: winning two “Bowl Championship Series”Trophies, becoming the first sophomore in the National College Athletic Association to with the Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (annually awarded to the player deemed most outstanding in collegiate football), and, in the face of massive public inquiry, being selected in the first round of the National Football League draft to the Denver Broncos. Tebow’s prestigious achievements have attracted millions of sports enthusiasts to learn more about his life story through high school, college, and the professional football league. To his sporting audience, Tebow’s autobiography, Through My Eyes, surprisingly puts little emphasis on his accomplishments both as an amateur and professional athlete. Rather, the book focuses on his own personal struggle with depression, and how he found help not in the psychiatrist’s chair, but rather from an unexpected source.
            In the preface of his autobiography, Tebow speaks unmistakably about his aversion to people idolizing him as a “superstar.” He is quick to express how such comments “don’t feel deserved” and even “cut [him] to the bone” (Tebow, ix). What others view as flattery, Tebow sees as a responsibility. From an early age, his parents had taught him that everyone has a “responsibility to influence others” by using “a platform” (Tebow, x). Being born of missionary parents, Tebow believes that while God is in control of man’s eternal plan, it is his responsibility to use his platform, whatever its size at any given moment in time, to influence others in a positive way. In fact, Tebow goes as far as saying that his only true joy in being a professional athlete is having a larger platform from which to minister. Tebow takes advantage of his fame to give his story that he is compelled to tell to an audience that he feels desperately needs to hear it. It is a story about how his God rescued him from despair to become a beacon of hope to inspire others. He dedicates his book to “all those who have been told they couldn’t achieve their dreams” (Tebow, xi). Tebow is more than the shiny trophies, the touchdown passes, and the newspaper articles; he is a man with a passion for football and an even greater passion for God. He details his long and arduous journey to becoming a quarterback, a path that at every juncture was blocked by coaches telling him he’d never make it, advising him to give up or switch positions. Despite his critics, he believed – not just in himself, but in the plan that God had laid out for him – and time after time, his relentless determination and commitment proved his critics wrong. He humbly affirms all of his successes were achieved with the help of his Creator.
            Tim Tebow’s mission statement can be summed up in the verses from the Gospel of Matthew:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded
you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20
(Tebow, 58)
A disciple is a person who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrine of another person held in a high esteem. Tim Tebow, by his own definition, is such a disciple. He boldly proclaims to his readers that he is a submissive and obedient disciple of Jesus Christ. Tebow’s extensive fundraising while attending the University of Florida helped to construct Uncle Dick’s Orphanage in the Philippines. As a worldwide icon, this humanitarian gesture witnessed to a multitude of individuals and, according to Tebow, caused many to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Tebow has committed to continue delivering Christ’s message of love and forgiveness to every individual, in every region of the world, making disciples of all nations.
            It has already been established that although Tebow has triumphed on the football field, citing his own praise is not the reason for his autobiography. While Tebow discusses the possible termination of his birth in the Philippines, his homeschooling, and family life with four other siblings, this is still not the main the purpose of the book. In fact, despite popular belief, his book is not about his religion. This autobiography serves a greater purpose to the author. In truth, Tebow’s autobiography is an attempt on his part to fulfill God’s directive: to make disciples of all nations. The book is not intended to be a device to win converts to Christianity but rather to evangelize. Although Tebow’s hope is that his readers will accept Christianity, this becomes the readers’ own personal decision. Tebow knows, in his heart, that he has done everything he possibly could have done to fulfill God’s commission. He has used the platform of a written manuscript to its greatest potential.
            As a believer in Christianity myself, I try to evaluate everything I do in light of how it will contribute to the fulfillment of God’s commission. I am truly grateful for the privileges I have had to serve in God’s ministry. My desire to fulfill God’s instruction has led me to reach out to the needy through church organizations and even locally through Amity’s Habitat for Humanity. I am ecstatic to have the ability to go on another mission trip and share God’s impact in my life in the summer of 2013. I have shared my testimony in front of complete strangers and even close friends, despite criticism. After all, I’m similar to Tim Tebow. We both try to use our unique God given abilities to spread a Gospel message. The platforms are different, but the message is the same – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life - John 3:16” (Tebow, 197). Whoever reads, sees, or thinks about Tim Tebow will inevitably hear this message. I hope to do the same with my own life. Perhaps I have accomplished a piece of that in this paper.
            God promises that He is “…with you always, even to the end of the age” (Tebow, 58).  In Tim Tebow’s life, God had assisted him through depression, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders. In my life, God has supported me during some of the darkest moments of my life. What can God do for you? There’s only one way to find out.