No Fanfare

 

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. Matthew 6:1-2 (NLT)

 

Tim Tebow received just about every award that a football player can get in college-a Heisman trophy, the Maxwell Award, and two national championships with the Florida Gators, to name a few. His father, Bob, told Nathan that at the end of one season, he was helping Tim pack up his belongings in the locker room when Tim asked his father if he would carry a box to the car.

 

Tim's dad peeked inside the box, packed full of trophies, plaques, and certificates, most of which his dad never knew his son had won. Tim's just quiet that way. His parents are also amazed at the number of people who come up to them, unsolicited, mentioning a phone call or visit they have received from Tim. "He simply doesn't tell us," his dad says. "He doesn't tell anyone."

 

Like the weekly hospital visits that often last hours as the nurses lead him to room after room, and the countless phone calls to people who need a word of encouragement. Done for the right reasons, without fanfare or publicity.

 

Nathan unknowingly saw it firsthand when he was with Tim in Denver, working on Tim's book, Through My Eyes. Tim excused himself to make a phone call, returning ten minutes later. The next evening, Nathan was back in Florida visiting with a friend battling cancer, who said that he had gotten the most remarkable call the previous night.

 

"Apparently someone gave Tim Tebow my number, and he called to encourage and pray with me. A friend of a friend asked him to call. But why am I telling you? You probably were there!" True, but it was a surprise to Nathan, too.

 

God wants all of us to live lives of impact, but not in order to receive accolades or recognition. We should touch lives with virtuous acts done for their own sake. For the sake of others.

For the sake of our relationship with the Lord. Simply because it's the right thing to do.

 

UNCOMMON KEY > Be a person who finds ways to be selfless, to do something quietly and unexpected for someone else. You are more than your career or accomplishments, especially the things that are lauded publicly. The bulk of your impact, either here on earth or eternally, will be from those things that you do in private.

 

Taken from, “The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge” by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker February 16