Does Jesus help Tim Tebow win football games? By Sean Slaughter When Tim Tebow was chosen in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft, the sports world went crazy. Tebow was an amazing college athlete who had won college football’s highest honor, the Heisman Trophy, as well as a National Championship at the University of Florida. But his awkward passing motion and style of play were not considered to be NFL quarterback caliber. So when the Denver Broncos selected Tebow, a projected third round pick, with the 25th overall pick, they were considered fools.

During the middle of the 2011-2012 season, the 1-4 Broncos decided to give Tim Tebow his chance. Tebow went on to win six consecutive games in unprecedented fashion. The sports pundits that doubted Tebow were correct in their assessment of Tebow's quarterbacking skills...they were awful. But what Tebow lacked in QB skills he made up in faith and sheer determination. During Tebow's six win span, Tebow brought his team from behind consecutive times in the 4th quarter or in overtime, making un-believable plays to put his team in possession to win. What was strange though was the unexplainable mistakes other teams would make in those crucial moments. Opposing players would fumble the ball, miss kicks, or make un-characteristic plays at the perfectly wrong time, allowing Denver to capitalize. This had many talking heads wondering out loud the obvious question...is God helping Tim Tebow win games?

No. Well, yes and no. Does God really care about football games? What about the other Christians on the other team that is losing? Why would God make them lose? I have no idea. But he does care about the people playing the games. And I believe God's purpose for one person has affects on his purpose for another person. For example, when God parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites in Exodus, everyone was affected, from those that crossed the Red sea to those that drowned. Even the loved ones of those that drowned were in-directly affected by God's plan because their husband/father/son/grand-son were now dead. What God allows to have a big, overall affect, as well as many individual affects. God cares about the individuals affects his plan may have on people lives but is mainly concerned about His larger purpose, which is the salvation of man 1(Timothy 2: 3-6).

I believe God is orchestrating something through Tim Tebow that not only affects Tim Tebow, but the NFL, it fans and even its reporters. There has never been a greater conversation of faith in sports as there currently is. And even a loss for the other Christians on the opposite team can be a win for the purpose of God. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Sometime we have to take our eyes off of the little things, such as winning a Superbowl and onto larger, more meaningful things, such as the message of God's eternal plan for mankind being heard by everyone; even Cleveland Browns fans.