I received a comment once critizing me for being so open about my relationship with God. Given that I haven’t stopped sharing about that divine relationship, you may know where I stand on that issue. Let me share why …
Recognize this guy? Tim Tebow, quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Currently head cheerleader for the Kingdom!
Can I tell you a secret? I used to be embarrased about sharing my faith. Granted, I’ve grown stronger in it over the years, more passionate, and therefore more vocal. But I used to be embarrassed to even share with someone the things I did know about God.
” . . . You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone
asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”
1 Peter 3:15 {NLT}
If you’re in a place where you sometimes waiver about whether or not to speak up about your Christian faith . . . I’d like to encourage you today to stand. Stand tall. Stand proud. Shout it from the mountaintop or the playing field. Just do.
Besides the current phenomena {and obvious reasons} surrounding Tim, there’s another lesson in his story. It was in college Tim would write John 3:16 on his face during games. The NFL has banned the practice of sharing personal messages like this, so realize the whole 3:16 thing happened about 3-plus years ago {this season was his second year in the NFL}.
Maybe I should back up . . . have you heard the “obvious reasons” for the Tebow John 3:16 hysteria?
During a game this past season:
- Tebow threw for a season-high 316 yards
- set an NFL record with 31.6 yards per completion
- it was reported that the ratings of the final 15 minutes of the game were 31.6
- two of his bosses are named John
- the lone interception thrown in the game came on a third down and on the 16 yard line
The lesson here shows that we may not always know how, why, or when {if ever} we’ll see the benefits of vocalizing our faith. But because this young man stepped out in faith, showing his faith . . . a few years later, the top {as in millions of hits} Google search was for John 3:16.
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
And the following commercial aired on national television!! during a playoff game when 40.9 million people were watching!
All because one young man stood firm, unashamed, and proud of his faith.
Keep pressing on and be Bold! Don’t let the worldly pressures stop you from sharing your faith, we need more people like you to do that and reach out. Keep up the faith and keep Him first. Amen, Amen & Amen!
My faith has been strengthened in so many ways due to your blog. Tracie, you continue to inspire us and help us grow each day through your writings. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us. Have a blessed day.
Thank you for this post… and for standing up to your Faith and inspiring us!
Thank you so much for posting this…I have been following your site for a few months now! I am trying to copy this so I can post to some of my Tebow fans…Thank you for inspiring me and my family.
(giggling) cause there are other books in the bible with 3:16 =)
gotta love this though, “Currently head cheerleader for the Kingdom!”
Stand tall and stand strong… You captured it!!!!!
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