Tada, Tebow and Culture

Political correctness and religious zeal are a mismatch and rarely go hand in hand.   Their underlying principles place them at opposite ends of the cultural continuum.  This may be one of the reasons that Tim Tebow has so many rabid detractors.  Tebow doesn't  worry about  political correctness, and he's not ashamed of his Christian values.

At the 2010  National Prayer Breakfast sponsored by Prison Fellowship, Tebow said:  Football is a means to an end for me...sharing the love of Christ, that IS the end!

I think this quote sheds some light on the public animosity directed towards Tebow—His worldview is out of step with much of the world.

A person’s worldview is formed in relation to boundary questions:

·         Who am I?

·         Why am I here?

·         Where am I going?

·         What is my purpose in life?

These questions act as a camera lens that colors our world and causes us to focus on specific areas.  Our worldview can be the source of stress when the horizontal dimension (physical) of our life is in conflict with the vertical dimension (spiritual).

The lives of two different people, Joni Eareckson Tada  and Christopher Reeve,  illustrate this fact.  In July of 1967, Tada broke her neck in a diving accident.  In May of 1995 Reeve, broke his neck when he was thrown from a horse.  As a result of their injuries, both were confined to life in a wheel chair

To their credit, both Tada and Reeve were determined to make the best of their circumstances; however, they shared two different approaches to their future.  Tada was unwilling to use stem cell research, while Reeve promoted its use.

Tada has drawn a line in the sand and espoused her worldview:  If we violate a human embryo today, tomorrow we will become callous about the fetus, then the infant, and then people with physical defects...let's influence society with reasoned judgment, strength of character, and a commitment to improve our culture, not diminish it.

Both Tada and Tebow embrace a worldview that can be summed up in three words: Jesus is Lord.     This is in stark contrast to the godless, inward-focused, me-first culture that envelopes us. 

Tada and Tebow understand that life is full of highs and lows, and whether a person is up or down, Jesus is constant.  They find common ground with David's proclamation: The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;  my Savior, You save me from violence.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:2-4).

No doubt about it, Tebow is different, and I find this to be refreshing.  Instead of the end zone antics that shout, it's all about me, the bended knee of Tebow says, it's all about He that is within me.