Theo Von Theology

There are two TV shows that I’ve watched for 20+ years. 

The first is College Gameday on Saturday mornings, before the slate of college football games begins. I love the commentary, the picks, the jokes, the fans — even the signs in the crowd. It’s a must watch for college football fans (even though it’s not the same without Coach Lee Corso). 

The second is The Challenge on MTV. It started as the Real World vs. Road Rules Challenge in my late teens. It morphed into “The Challenge” somewhere along the way. Imagine if survivor only cast at indie rock concerts and Crossfit gyms. That’s The Challenge. And nobody could beat CT or Laurel in their prime (real fans will understand). 

The commonality with these two shows? 

Theo Von, comedian and podcaster, has been on both. He got his start on MTV reality shows like the Challenge and after podcasting fame became a guest picker on College Gameday. My dad even sent a text (he watches to) and asked me who Theo was. Don the Legend thought he was hilarious on the show. 

Theo is not for everybody. His jokes are the most random I’ve ever heard. He’s offensive to some. Hilarious to others. 

But during a social media scroll I came across a clip of Theo being moved by Jesus healing the man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5.

He was particularly interested in Jesus question to the man before the miracle. 
“Do you want to be made well?” 

If you know the story you know the man answered (not with a clear yes) and Jesus said to him “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”

I can’t get the clip out of my mind. It’s been months since I originally saw it. I keep trying to dismiss it like “God, surely you’re not using Theo Von to speak to me”. 

But here we are. 

Jude is reaching a critical time. She’s wanting to learn. She’s using her tablet. She’s successfully using the toilet at therapy. She’s even making better eye contact. 

Last night I told her we were out of chips. She got her tablet and said “Chips please. Go. I love you.”

You’d think I’d be ready to switch to a higher gear and help her achieve. To push her to use her tablet more. To sit her on the toilet at home. To capitalize on this new phase of growth. 

That’s partly true. There’s another part of me that’s fighting to break out of a rut, conditioned by 13 years of false starts. 

But like an introspective Theo, I need to ask myself .  . . 

Do I want to be made well? Do I want Jude to be made well?

The answer is the most emphatic and easy “yes” of my life. 

And just like the story, Jesus is calling me to practical action.

Unlike the man in John 5, I don’t have a bed to pick up. I’m not by a pool. 

But it’s time to start walking.