Throwing Rocks and Footballs
Tim Tebow deserves the criticism he gets. Not because he occasionally throws a bounce pass to a wide-open receiver, but because he is a Christian - not just any Christian, mind you. He is one of those who will not keep his mouth shut about Jesus. So, Tebow is constantly criticized.
In response, many in the Christian community defend his right to talk about Jesus. For those who wish to defend him perhaps we should ask, “Why are so many people criticizing Tebow?” The answer may lie not with him, but with the many Christian public figures who have come before him.
Several years ago a person I met found out I was a pastor. He got visibly upset and talked about how he hated being around pastors. “You always tell me how bad I am,” he said.
He is not alone in how he feels.
In the past many Christians have condemned the LGBTQ community, cast judgment on the ACLU, and denounced the entertainment industry. Our bigotry has displayed fear and hate - not the love and grace of Jesus.
Then there are those who preach abstinence, fidelity, generosity, and family values only to have their façade collapse, resulting in moral fallouts. And what about the televangelists who preach health and wealth as they absorb more money all the time from their followers?
If we have ears to hear, we may come to understand that the way many see Christians is not positive. While some wish to blame the media or “liberals” for throwing stones at us; it would be honest to admit that we have been the ones handing them the stones they are throwing.
Christians, as a group, have unfortunately earned the mistrust in our culture - that goes for Tebow too. If only because he is guilty by association. He did not have to tell anyone he was a Christian, but he did and is now an object of scrutiny.
Christians seem to be unclear about our place in this world. We must remember we are not to be the “moral police” of culture, but are to live as “agents of healing” in our broken world.
Is Tebow a bigoted, punitive, hypocritical type of guy? Not really. All I ever hear, from people who spend time with him, is how gracious he is. He knows his job is to be an agent of healing. This is why he spends so much time with the underserved and is already being called a philanthropist.
Tebow has not earned the criticism. He inherited it through the pre-existing perception and reputation that Christians have created in our world. The rocks being thrown at him are not ones that he has handed to anyone. Yet even still, when he’s hit he responds with a smile and genuine kindness.
Perhaps someday when the Tebow story is told some will think differently about Christians. But why wait for him to change the minds of people? What are you doing to change the perception in your world?