34 pages • 1 hour read
Tim TebowShaken
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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The Role of Faith in Stability
In Shaken, Tim Tebow argues that developing one’s faith and relationship with God can provide a stable foundation for one’s emotions, identity, and outlook on life. The book’s title comes from Psalm 16:8, in which the king of Israel says, “I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (4). Tebow argues that difficult events can leave people “shaken” and unsure of how to cope if they do not have a strong faith to fall back on. He questions, “When your world is shaken, when the plans and dreams you’ve banked on, get obliterated […] what do you hold onto?” (19). By raising these questions, the author presents life events and material circumstances as unpredictable and ever-changing, and he contrasts these with the “solid ground” of God’s love (19).
As one example of faith-based stability, Tebow recalls a time when he suffered a professional rejection and he heavily relied on faith for direction: “Though I carried the crushing weight of disappointment, I was working so hard to reenergize myself with confidence. Not in myself. Not in my abilities or my athleticism. […] In the One who loved me beyond all love” (20). Tebow reveals that his faith stabilizes him by providing a spiritual “sense of belonging” which he observes is a “basic human need” (29). This stability means that he does not feel he has to conform to others’ customs or expectations because he is secure in his identity. In a time when his dreams had been taken from him and he was under public scrutiny, his faith helped him to feel grounded. The author uses his personal experience of faith as a source of stability to encourage the reader to also rely on God during trying times, claiming that this will make them more resilient and strengthen their beliefs. He explains, “My identity is based on belonging to God. No one can take this foundation away from me” (29).
The Intersection of Identity and Purpose
According to Tebow, one’s identity and one’s purpose in life are inherently “intertwined” (36). Tebow believes that people should base their identity on their Christian faith and relationship with God. In doing so, the author maintains that they will be able to understand and act on God’s purpose for their life.
Tebow explains that God has designed each person’s life like a “masterpiece,” which includes a purpose of doing “good works, wonderful things that make a difference” (37). Tebow persuades the reader that even rejections or failures can provide catalysts for them to live out their purpose, noting that sometimes God’s plan takes people’s lives in unexpected directions. For example, singer Mark Stuart accepted that his health problems would halt his successful music career and pivoted to a life of charity work supporting vulnerable children. Tebow explains, “When Mark left the band, he devoted his life, still using the band’s platform, to care for those who were helpless. […] He is fulfilling a greater purpose” (33-34). Tebow has also experienced this unexpected redirection. By failing to establish himself in a long-term NFL football career, Tebow has had more time to invest in his charitable foundation. He now recognizes that this aspect of his life is more useful and meaningful than his identity as an athlete, and he is more reflective of his main purpose in life: to help others. He explains, “There will always be someone else to clinch next year’s title, award, or trophy. These things don’t last. […] I want my love for God and for others to shine greater than an incredible comeback moment, a heavy gold trophy, or a handful of favorable headlines” (191).
He coaches the reader to consider how they could take the initiative to embrace a positive, faith-based identity and purpose, too, asking, “Think about the legacy you are building right now. Are you cultivating a life of generosity? Kindness? Compassion? Are you investing in others?” (193). These discussions help the reader consider their own decisions and how they are reflective of their own faith, identity, and life purpose.
The Importance of Helping Others
Throughout his work, Tebow continually reiterates the importance of helping others, arguing that helping people is always a display of faith that aligns people with God’s plan for their lives. The author suggests that, while everyone has their own God-given purpose in life, they should always consider how their gifts and skills can be used to help others.
According to Tebow, everyone should reinterpret their challenges or insecurities as an opportunity to connect with others in a supportive way. For instance, having struggled with dyslexia as a child, Tebow can relate to others with learning disabilities and give them moral support. He explains, “I know that God is using that challenge as part of my platform. That’s what He does. He takes something we see as a disability, a defect, or a mistake and gives us opportunities to help others who struggle in those same areas” (131). Similarly, his friend Robyn understands what it is like to live with cerebral palsy and have mobility issues, and this provides her with a platform to advocate for people with disabilities and discuss her experience.
The author emphasizes the necessity of helping others by urging the reader to pay attention to opportunities to serve people, even in seemingly trivial ways. He coaches the reader to “do something, no matter how small, to lighten someone’s load” (118). Tebow insists that even these everyday acts of kindness make a difference and are a manifestation of one’s faith. He suggests, “Think simple. In terms of those around you, send an encouraging text to a friend. Take time to listen, really listen, to another. Make some chicken soup for someone who is sick” (119).
