The Choice

A few years ago, we had the opportunity to listen to Tim Tebow talk.  He told stories from different parts of his life.  He told stories from his childhood and others from his sports career with the Florida Gators, in the NFL and baseball.

One story in particular was inspiring though.  Tim has been on mission trips for most of his life as his parents were missionaries.  At 15 years old, Tim was on a mission to a very remote village deep in a Philippine jungle.  There he met a little boy named Sherwin, who had been born with his feet facing backwards.  Due to this, the villagers were convinced that the boy was cursed so he was shunned from everything.  As soon as Tim arrived, he met and connected with Sherwin.  The bond grew and Tim felt God telling him to do something.  This was the beginning of what would become the Tim Tebow Foundation.  A foundation to help fight for kids like Sherwin who are most vulnerable. 

In recent years, Tim met a boy named Aldrin who reminded him of Sherwin.  Both boys were born with their feet backwards.  The Tim Tebow Foundation went on to help Aldrin have a successful surgery to be able to walk normal for the first time in his life.

Sure, we can say that it is easy for a person with money and fame like Tim Tebow to do something.  This was a choice he made though in continuing to fight for children and create the Tim Tebow Foundation.  A foundation that he lives and breathes everyday around the world.

Are we all going to be able to go on a mission trip to a foreign country? No. 

Are we all going to be able to help others have a surgery? No.

Are we all going to be able to make a choice on what we do in our life? Yes.

Are we all going to be able to make small decisions that lead to bigger changes? Yes.

Are we all going to be able to help someone every day? Yes.

Tony Dungy once said, “Even though we can’t always choose our circumstances, we can always choose our attitude in the circumstances." He would then go on to say, “Everyone, everywhere, needs encouragement on a regular basis. Start with people you know and add to your list."

The choice is up to each one of us individually on the true impact we want to make.  Circumstances may seem grim right now, but we can change that one choice at a time.  Maybe you know someone struggling, be the person that encourages them.  It may be your encouragement that changes their life forever.  Maybe you are the person going through a hard time.  It is okay to ask for help or reach out to a close friend to talk. 

Change is hard, but making a simple choice can change the course of a life forever.  This is going to take work and dedication.  A quick “like” on an Instagram post or short message on Facebook Messenger is not going to be enough.  Pick up the phone and call the person or even better have dinner with the person to help build a true relationship.  Nothing brings people together better than food and a conversation.

Remember though, making a choice and changing your path is going to be tough, but each of us can accomplish anything.  On a Monday night in 2018, then New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees became the all-time NFL passing yards leader on a 62-yard touchdown.  After breaking the record, Brees celebrated with his teammates and then his family on the sidelines.  He told his three sons, “I love you guys so much.  You can accomplish anything in life if you’re willing to work for it.”

You can truly accomplish anything in life if you are willing to work for it.  Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  This is one of our favorite Bible verses as it reminds us of the true power and strength that we have.  Our circumstances might be bleak for the moment, but God is still with us. It’s from the most humble times that we have the peace of God.  Also, we know that he gives us strength to not only overcome, but we have the power through him to be stronger after going through the bleak moments. 

It is up to each of us to choose what we want to do.  Do we want to reach out and help?  Do we want to change our own life?  The choice is ours to make.

XOXO

Mark and Megan