The Rest of the Tim Tebow Story?

   What if I held a book in my hands, a 400 page book, and I wanted to read the story about a man who looked to become a giant in the Christian faith. But as I read of the successes in his early life, and I look forward to seeing how this life will play out, I get to page 200, and there is nothing there. The rest of the book is full of blank pages.

   When I read a book, like the one I have in my hands currently, Les Miserables, I see the story as it unfolds. I read about Jean Valjean, Javert, Cosette, Marius, and I know that as I read on, I will find out what happens to each of them. I know that book has an ending, the last few hundred pages have writing on them, and the story will be resolved. I just need a few more hours to read it and find out.

   I have followed the Tim Tebow story ever since he was the quarterback of the National Champion Florida Gators. His success on the football field and his outspoken testimony of God's work in his life, made him a Christian icon, and he was looked up to by millions. On to Denver he went, where he seemed to turn that team around and make it a championship contender. Then when the Broncos picked up Peyton Manning, they traded Tebow to the NY Jets.

   With much fanfare, the Florida quarterback came to New York and its relentless media hype. Then the story soured, and the last season was a huge disappointment, for the fans, for the team, for the media,  for his Christian followers, and, I suspect, for him as well.

   In my mind, and in my wishful projections, I want the story to be a great one of comeback, of God's vindication of his talents and his testimony. In short, I want him to taste success again on the football field, and for his personal life to triumph over the disappointments of the past year. That sounds like an ending that everyone would enjoy.

   But is that the way that God intends? He is not surprised by any of the things that have happened in Tim Tebow's life, and He knows what the rest of it looks like. His hand was in the days of success and in the days of the other. He alone knows the shaping of a life that goes through this emotional roller coaster of celebrity status. And He knows the outcome.

   What will be written on those last couple of hundred pages of this life?

   I can only hope and pray that the story of God's love and guidance will be brought out through the remaining pages. I want success for Tim, success in life and in service, no matter where or how it comes. I want to see him bowing on one knee in the end zone of life, lifting a had to God on high and giving Him all the honor and praise.

   If I could, I would just go ahead and write that scene of victory on the last page of the book, and then wait and see how all the other blank pages are filled in with a life lived in the right way and for the right reasons.

   Go Tim, and show us all how to overcome and live....