Tim Tebow Explains How to Live Each Day as a Gift

Imagine waking up each day fueled by a whisper: “This is the day.” A day for what? you wonder. A day for change. A day that can be different, better than yesterday. A day that, even in the revolving door of responsibilities and to-dos, can be filled with more purpose and passion than you think possible.

Imagine when hearing the sound of the morning alarm, instead of groaning or slapping the snooze button, you awaken—mind, heart, and soul—to possibility. Something better. Something more.

You open your eyes, and before your feet hit the ground running, you pause. You choose not to be ruled by the tune of just getting by, not to allow what really matters to get swallowed up by the daily grind, and not to ignore what you really want out of life.

This is the day that God has made. This day. Right now. Whatever moment you are breathing in, God made this day. Even when times are tough, something about this day is good. There’s always a reason, however small, to find joy in this day. Sometimes we have to choose to look for it. Sometimes we have to ask God to help us find it.

The Gift of Today

God gives us today as a gift. He wants us to pursue it, not just for selfish ambition but to do something meaningful with it. To use it to grow, to love others well, to help someone, to pursue a dream He’s put on our hearts. This is the day to live without fear of the unknown, without being chained by failure or what-ifs.This is the day to be willing to change, to be open, to believe, to hope. If we don’t attack each day with this intentionality, it’s almost like telling God, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

How different would your day be if you lived out the words of Psalm118:24? Think about it; really think about it.

• Is there something you would change?
• Is there someone you would reach out to?
• Is there something you would need to give?
• Is there something you would need to let go of?

I’m not saying putting this into practice is easy. Hard times are inevitable. Obstacles will come. Some battles are harder to fight than others. You may get knocked down, but you don’t have to stay there. Each day you wake up, you have a chance to get unstuck, to step out of a comfortable routine that may be limiting your potential, and to fight for something that’s important.

You were made not just to survive today but to thrive in it. I want to encourage you to stop putting off your dreams, your goals, and the purpose God has for you. It’s time to become the person He has created you to be.

The Opportunity of Today

It’s never too late. You’re not too young. You’re not too old. You can have purpose not only in your life but also in this day. There is always something you can do right now to improve yourself, to make an impact on someone or something else, or to create or enjoy a meaningful moment. Challenge yourself right now to begin to think about each day as an opportunity to crush it, to pursue the right things, to gain a better perspective, to step out of your comfort zone, and to go all in.

This is the day you can switch off autopilot and begin living with passion.

The race is not always won by the fastest runner. A day is not always conquered by the one who has the most skill, the most smarts, the most talent, or the most money. The one who tries to live each day to its potentialis the one who doesn’t give up. She’s the one who is not afraid of working hard for something that matters. He’s the one who doesn’t let setbacks stop his momentum. She’s the one who is not afraid of the pain of growth. He’s the one who will fight no matter how big or strong his opponent.

• Want to get better at something?
• Want to be successful?
• Want to see that dream happen?
• Want to make a difference?
• Want to conquer life’s obstacles, detours, and sucker punches?

You need grit. You need drive. You need to be persistent. You need to work hard. You need to change. You need to grow. You need these things to give whatever passion you have momentum.

There is no instant payoff with growth. It’s not like I train for an hour and see results the next day. I train, and guess what happens next? I hurt. I’m uncomfortable. Sometimes I’m even in pain. The payoff is in the faith that the training will pay off. I recover and I get better. And then I repeat the cycle over and over and over again.

What are you willing to climb over, hustle around, or break through to make something happen? In your marriage . . . your family . . . your dream . . . your relationship with God? Whatever your goal is, don’t give up. Keep at it.

This article is an excerpt from This Is the Day by Tim Tebow, with A. J. Gregory. Used with permission.

Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion, first round NFL draft pick, and Heisman trophy winner. After playing in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets, Tebow joined the SEC Network. In addition to his role on SEC Nation, the network's traveling road show, Tebow contributes to a variety of other ESPN platforms. In fall 2016 he signed a baseball contract with the New York Mets. Through it all, Tim's true passion remains the work of the Tim Tebow Foundation which he began in 2010. The foundation's mission is to bring Faith, Hope, and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The foundation is fulfilling that mission every day by serving thousands of deserving children around the world.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Pablo Merchan Montes