By Mallory Mattingly
Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow recently reflected on one of the most memorable moments of his career — and how it turned into a powerful display of faith.
“My favorite stories are God’s stories — ones you could have never written,” Tebow shared while appearing on an episode of “The Dr. Josh Axe Show” last week. “And when I wore that [John 3:16 on my eye black] in the national championship and 94 million people Googled it, and then three years later to the date of when I wore it, we’re playing the Steelers in the playoffs. We win this crazy game in overtime with an 80-yard touchdown. I’m getting ready to do the press conference, and I’m told what just happened, and I’m blown away.”
“I know there are several times I’ve told that story to crowds, and people cheer and clap for it, but I didn’t have the same response they did,” he continued. “My first response was shame and guilt — that I thought that night was about a game. I thought it was about proving the doubters or the critics wrong. And God, in that moment, was reminding me: ‘No, it’s never just about a game. It’s always more than that.'”
Related: ‘Greatest Trade of All Time’: Tim Tebow Opens Up About His Identity in Jesus
During an interview with Shawn Ryan earlier this year, he confessed that “My eyes were on the wrong thing, my heart was in the wrong place,” causing him to initially miss what God wanted to do with his career.
In that playoff game against the Steelers, Tebow had “316 yards, 31.6 yards per completion, 3.16 yards per rush, the time of possession being 31.6, the ratings for the night being 31.6.”
John 3:16 became “the number one trending thing all over the world,” with 90 million people Googling the verse.
The well-known Bible verse reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
“I’m so grateful for that. But I’m also so grateful that I had no idea God was using something I thought was in the past,” Tebow told Dr. Axe. “He was saying, ‘You think that I did it then and I’m done? You have no idea what I’m doing.’ It was such a reminder that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We have no idea what He’s doing.”
Tebow no longer wants to miss moments where God is at work. That’s why he uses his platform to share all about the Lord.
“Don’t waste today waiting for a bigger opportunity,” he said in a post on Instagram.
“The moments you’re in right now are full of purpose. Serve, lead, and give your best where you are. God can multiply what you do today into tomorrow’s impact,” he added in the caption.
As Tebow learned, we never know what moments in our lives God wants to use for his glory. What a powerful reminder to be present and see where God is at work.
Read Next: Do You Want to Be Free? Tim Tebow Says Jesus’ Sacrifice is the Answer
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