{Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Beall’s}

Tim Tebow has been in the news a lot recently and rightfully so. Here is a video clip that was made during the Broncos vs Bears game last weekend. Tim agreed to be miked up for the whole game. Here is a sneak peek into what goes on during an NFL game through Tebows eyes.

I came away from watching this as convicted and highly inspired. You can tell he truly loves the game of football but above that he loves his Lord and the people around him. He spends more time encouraging those around him than thinking about what he can do to win the game. His goal is clearly hearts, not touchdowns.

Would I be as loving and encouraging? Am I as loving and encouraging? I’m afraid of what I might hear at the replaying of a day being miked up. I think groans would outweigh encouragement. Frustration would take lead over love. I didn’t know this but apparently miking up NFL players is a common practice. And the results aren’t pretty. Lots of editing typically goes into those. Lots of beeping out and cutting out. So at first I thought, “well, of course he spoke well, he knew he was miked.” But no, most other players don’t care. Even if they did care, the truth always comes out. They show who they really are.

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
(Luke 12:2-3 ESV)

And it’s the fear of the truth that drives me to double check my thoughts. Triple check. And how can I change this attitude of mine?

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
{James 1:19-25 ESV}

Stay in His word. Daily.

Every.

Single.

Day.

And yes, listen. If you can listen to a sermon while doing laundry – great. If you can listen to the Bible on cd while cooking dinner – great. And, of course, act on what you hear. Let it sink in. Let it change you from the inside out. And pray for that change. I know I will be. Praying for a heart like His. Praying that my actions, my words, won’t make me cringe at the end of the day. Or make my children cringe. Or make the Lord cringe.

My heart breaks even writing that. {thankful, thankful, thankful for grace that is beyond my understanding}

Tim Tebow is a great football player. There’s no doubt about that. But he is an amazing man of God above football. And should be considered a great inspiration to us all.

Blessings!

Be thankful for what has been given you.

And when I say be thankful, I mean for all of it. Even the hard parts. The moments when you’re screaming within “why me”! This is the hard eucharisteo. This is when you know it hurts but you also know that God can use your situation to bring glory to His name. Your struggles now may mean a saved life later. I’ve known so many believers that hide their struggles. They try to cover them up and put on this ‘christian’ face. Trying to convince others that their life is perfect because of God. And to that I ask “what Bible are you reading?” God is glorified when we rely on Him, not on ourselves. The Bible is full of prostitutes, murders, incest, liars, thieves, the poor, the diseased. And God is shown to be bigger than all those circumstances. If our lives were meant to look so glorious don’t you think those parts of the Bible would have been left out?! We need to boast in our weaknesses. To say ‘look at what I had’ or ‘what I went through’ and ‘He is still great’ and ‘He is still my everything’. He has a plan.

So maybe you didn’t have a drug addiction. Or you didn’t lose a child. Or you didn’t come from a broken home. Listen to others. Listen to the stories of the people around you. Open up your heart and listen to the story God is writing in their lives. It will give you pause to praise Him. To thank Him for all that He has given you. When you hear of a friend losing a job doesn’t that make you thankful for the income you have? When you donate clothes to Goodwill, does that not make you grateful that your children are warmly dressed?

Read books of missionaries in third world countries. Watch the news and witness what is taking place in your backyard. There are opportunities all around you to stop and serve the God of Heaven. Maybe go on a mission trip? Serve at a soup kitchen? Donate goods to a women’s shelter? Seek out how you can serve and take that first step outside of your comfort zone to bless another. It’ll change your perspective. It’ll change your life.

Don’t forget to comment on this post and leave your thanks to be registered for the “Kisses from Katie” giveaway!

Blessings!