I think it's time I weighed in on the Tim Tebow conversation. Everyone else is talking about it and I'm starting to feel left out.
I have a question for Mr. Tebow. Unfortunately, he probably won't ever get around to answering it because he's a famous quarterback and I'm... well... not. But I'll ask it anyway.
My question is this: Do you think that if God weren't so busy fixing NFL games in favor of the Denver Broncos, that he might have enough time to deal with other pressing issues like poverty, hunger, AIDS, cancer, the national debt, the environment, the mortgage crisis, the conflict in the Middle East, the decline of the euro, the fall of Rome (again! WTF Rome?), homelessness, unemployment, petty crime, white-collar crime, health care, gay rights, or even Michael Bay movies?
Probably not. I mean, there are hundreds of sporting events going on all over the world, and God has to listen to each and every prayer regarding the outcomes, determine which side is more earnest, and make decisions for all of those games. And then go see his bookie.
I just don't understand how Tebow can honestly believe he has God in his corner. For some inexplicable reason, which we can never know, God is pulling strings here and causing miracles there for the sole benefit of one guy. Why? Does this mean God loves Tim more than Tom? (I'm talking about Brady.) Again, why? And I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that God even cares enough about football to get involved in the first place when there are still so many unanswered prayers out there.
It's a painful slap in the face to see the Lord Almighty, the most powerful being in the universe, picking favorites among the rich and famous while ignoring the needs of those far less fortunate who really could use a little help. He seems kind of petty, in very much the same way humans are petty. God sounds like a dude who would rather turn on ESPN and kick back with a beer than read the news and try to make a difference in a way that actually matters. Did God create man in his own image, or was it the other way around and the author of Genesis just had dyslexia?
Every time I ask a Christian why God allows so much suffering in this world, I always get the same two answers:
1. The Cop Out
This is the insistence that suffering is a part of God's plan. We can never hope to understand it; we just have to accept it. One day, when we're all in heaven, sitting around a bonfire and singing "Kumbaya" together while making s'mores, God will tell all. He will explain why he allowed kids in Africa to be born with AIDS and why it was necessary for the Broncos to win all those games. Wow, can't wait.
2. The Illogical Justification
We suffer because we've sinned. Therefore, God can't or won't intervene in the life of baby born in Africa with AIDS because it was the baby's own damn fault. The baby may not have sinned yet, but it will. Okay fine, but he'll intervene during a football game to make sure that some quarterback - a guy who's already got it good - throws a pass to a wide receiver - another guy who's got it good - so that he catches it and manages to run to the end zone without members of the opposing team - guys who all have it good but not as much on that particular day - tackling him to the ground?
Tim Tebow, I'm not trying to criticize your gameplay. You've experienced incredible success at a very young age and I'm glad for you. Also a little jealous. But let's be real here. You got where you are because you train hard, you practice every day, you have a good coach and good teammates, and you're a virgin. I'm not kidding. 24 years without sex? If I had that much pent-up frustration, I'd be a black belt in karate.
Here's what I'm saying. You should take responsibility for everything that happens in your life, good or bad, because ultimately, you're the one in control. When you throw a game-winning touchdown, own it. Give yourself a pat on the back. And if you should screw up and lose a game, then recognize that you made a mistake or didn't play your best, and learn from it so that you don't repeat it.
But don't say it was God's will that your team won or lost. That is such a cop out.
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UPDATE: The Broncos lost big time to the Patriots not even 24 hours after I posted this. I'll be honest, I'm kind of smug that God was absent from the game. Still Tebowing, Tim?
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