Tim Tebow's test of faith

After the New York Jets released Tim Tebow in April, the outspoken Christian quarterback immediately tweeted Proverbs 3:5-6, a passage that talks about trusting God even when you do not understand His plan. On Friday, just three days after signing with the New England Patriots, Tebow was on stage for the 2013 Gridiron Men’s Conference in Alabama, talking to a crowd of 7,000 young men.

Appropriately, this year’s conference theme was standing strong in faith.

“God is leading you. He just might not be showing you,” Tebow told those in the audience.

He shared how his faith affected his life—from his experiences on mission trips to his decision to attend the University of Florida. Tebow said that every man is a role model to someone and that this responsibility must be taken seriously. He then asked the young men, “What type of leader, what kind of role model are you?”

Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters last Wednesday that Tebow’s faith was a factor in the organization’s decision to sign the 25-year-old, much maligned quarterback.

“You can’t have enough good people around you, and [Tebow] has the added dimension of spirituality being so important to him,” Kraft said. “And that personally appeals to me a lot.”

Tebow is competing with Ryan Mallett for the backup position behind All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady. The two-year contract Tebow signed is non-guaranteed, meaning he will have to play well enough during the preseason to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster, making his future in the NFL still uncertain.

“All your talents and opportunities come from God and they can be taken away at any time,” Tebow reminded the audience in Alabama. “If my identity is found in what I do, that can be taken away. My identity comes from my relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s something that will never change.”