Football a Marketplace for Ministry? How God is working through Tim Tebow.

The sweet taste of victory belonged not to the Florida Gators, but to God.

I’m settling back into the swing of things here in Seattle after a great Thanksgiving trip to my hometown, Virginia Beach, VA. Reflecting back over the holiday, there’s a ton to appreciate: family, friends, food, health, God’s daily provision….and yes…college football Saturday!

There’s nothing like watching the final regular season football game of my Alma Mater, the Florida Gators. It’s a highly anticipated part of Thanksgiving weekend. The tradition is simple: Must be clad head to toe in orange and blue, armed with school spirit and my world-famous Thanksgiving leftovers creation: turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwich!

This year, the sweet taste of victory belonged not to the Gators, but to God. The greatest moment was not a touchdown, but how Tim Tebow allowed the Lord to use him for His Glory through the game of football.

Tim Tebow’s eye black scores press for Jesus.

On game day, Tim Tebow typically displays a verse of scripture on his eye black, proudly broadcast on national television for college football enthusiasts everywhere to see. For example during the 2009 BCS championship game, he painted John 3:16 lettering beneath his eyes. This past Saturday, for his final home game in the Swamp as a graduating senior, Tim chose Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It is worth noting that the CBS sports commentator read this scripture on national television, and as of 10 pm Saturday night, “Hebrews 12:1-2″ was the number one most-searched term on Google. Hallelujah!

Do you work as for the Lord?

Whether on the field or in his life for Christ, Tim Tebow scores. You see, Tim has invited God into his situation, and therefore God is able to work through him. In every single newspaper and TV interview, Tim starts by thanking God and ends with “God Bless.” He is a wonderful illustration of the principle of working as for the Lord.

Because Tim is usable to the Lord, He was able to broadcast the Good News to millions of people using ESPN SportsCenter! Jesus does love football. Robert Fraser, in his book Marketplace Christianity, says of the Tim Tebows: “By their faith and because they carry with them the aroma of the presence of God, they greatly impact those around them, acting as a sturdy bridge to bring the Gospel to those in the marketplace.”

Have you invited God into your work?  What opportunities do you have throughout your workday that God can use to broadcast Himself? Remember, there is no audience too small for the Lord. He would have laid down His life even if the world were a population of one.  And there is no task that is too small for His use, either. God wants to be an engineer through you. He desires to be a schoolteacher through you. He is glorified when you run the length of a football field with endurance for HIM.

Tim Tebow exemplifies how Christians in the marketplace should use every opportunity of a captive audience (whether an audience of 1 or 1 million) to break from the spirit of self-promotion and point the glory to God.

Have you invited God into your workplace and allowed Him to go to work through you?

God Bless!