“TIM TEBOW WAS ASKED ABOUT PEOPLE NOT LIKING HIM; NOW HIS INSPIRING RESPONSE IS GOING VIRAL“ (Mike Oz, Yahoo Sports, February 18, 2019)

Tim Tebow, minor league baseball player in the New York Mets organization, may go on to the major leagues this year. Tebow does his best to be his best, and he intentionally helps many others especially through his foundation. However, there seem to be some who don’t like him no matter what he does.

I think the biggest reason for that is because they don’t measure up to a standard he strives to meet. Rather than raise themselves up they had rather tear him down. Tim Tebow dares to stand for his principles, he genuinely strives to make a difference, and he hopes to inspire others to do and be their best.

While at Mets camp one recent weekend Tebow was asked about people not liking him. His response was so powerful that sports blogger Mike Oz said it was “like right out of a book of inspirational quotes.” I share it today, because I think Tebow is one sports figure worthy of being quoted and is a good example to kids today — to all of us! Here’s what he had to say….

“It’s really about keeping perspective and not letting other people define you, because they sure want to. Shoot, I try to encourage young people all the time to not let the world or outside sources define you, because you are always going to have critics and naysayers and people that are going to tell you that you won’t, that you can’t, that you shouldn’t. Most of those people are the people that didn’t, that wouldn’t, that couldn’t.

Don’t be defined by the outside sources. You go after your dreams. Succeeding or failing is not making it to the bigs, or it’s not necessarily fulfilling that. It’s having to not live with regret because I didn’t try. I just feel for all the young people who don’t go after something, because they are so afraid of failing that you are going to live with a lot more regret than if you would’ve and you failed. I’m very passionate about that.

I think the reason people don’t go after things is because how much you will be criticized. What if I fall flat on my face? Fear and doubt and all these things creep in. I just don’t believe that is the healthiest way to live. I don’t want to have to live with fear or doubt everyday regardless of what everybody here says about me. It doesn’t define me.

I’m grateful that doesn’t define me. There is one thing that defines me and that’s what God says about me. Besides that, I get to go live out my dreams and help as many people along the way as possible.” (Tim Tebow)

Lots of people are taking note of Tebow’s words. In fact the video of his comments received one million views by that Sunday night, two million by the following Monday morning, and was rapidly climbing. Wouldn’t it be nice if Tim Tebow’s attitude spread as easily as his words have gone viral?

I agree with Mike Oz’s assessment: “Whether Tebow ultimately becomes a successful baseball player in the big leagues remains to be seen. But there’s no arguing that his dedication and attitude are at an All-Star level.”

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” (Matthew 5:11)

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.” (Titus 2:7)

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

“Let all that you do be done in love.” (I Corinthians 6:14)

Here’s a true story of hope that begins with a newborn girl found abandoned in a trashcan in China. With this nearly hopeless beginning would she have a future?

The infant was found by a family who provided care for five years until she was passed on to a different family. In their “care” for the next six years she took care of herself mostly on the streets of China. Had she gone from little hope to no hope? Surely there was no future for her!

Then at age 11 she was placed in an orphanage. How much hope could be in this situation now? What about her future?

Just prior to turning 14 she was adopted and brought to America, which seemed like heaven to her. Her life’s vastly different situation brought changes where hope could be found and dreams of a positive future finally could be realized.

Speaking no English and barely literate, she was now homeschooled by her “forever” family who provided not just an education but love and care. She earned an Associate’s degree at a community college, dreamed of a Christian education, and applied for College of the Ozarks, where she was placed on a waiting list.

Although it didn’t appear hopeful that she would be accepted right away, she was. It wasn’t easy, but she faced the struggles, which already had been so much a part of her life.

“While at College of the Ozarks there were a couple of times I felt like giving up, but I gained a lot of perseverance…. I learned to ask for help even when I didn’t want others to see me struggling,” she expressed and acknowledged the support and prayers of others that helped her succeed.

She studied. She learned. She worked. She became stronger. She experienced growing hope and enjoyed planning for her future.

She graduated from College of the Ozarks with honors in May 2018. It was a worthy accomplishment but even more importantly, she had learned to trust God who spoke these words found in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord… plans to give you hope and a future.”

Congratulations, Katelynn Corkern!

(Did you know that C of O students participate in a Work Education Program to pay for their education and an opportunity to graduate with a 4-year degree without student debt? For more info about College of the Ozarks — called “Hard Work U” by Wall Street Journal — go to www.cofo.edu.)

Tag: success

TIM TEBOW: HOPE TO LET GOD DEFINE