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My parents encouraged me to follow Jesus from a young age but it was the ideaof a personal relationship with Christ that inspired me to know Jesus and to live withHis grace and by His Word every day. I have sought friendship with other athletesto help me further my journey. On the road, weekly team chapels and occasionalsports chapels with other athletes serve as my church away from home. Making adaily priority of reading the Bible, listening to online sermons, and reading e-booksalso helps keep my faith growing and gives me something to lean on when times aretough.
My Christian faith has helped me to handle life’s bumps and to be thankful foreach day, one day at a time – thankful that I get to play a game that I love, thankfulfor the pleasure of the little things in life, thankful for the strength to push throughthe struggles, trusting that all things happen for a reason and there’s a lesson tobe learned in each struggle. It’s easy to get down and blame God and grow apart,but the only way out is to trust in the Lord and to know that He is working in my life,preparing me for whatever is to come.
I pray before and after each game, giving thanks for the opportunity and ability toplay this game. The Scriptures that guide me are Philippians 4:13 and Colossians3:23. They give me strength in times of weakness and drive when I’m thinking aboutgiving up. They help me come to the rink daily, to give my best, and to believe thatwith God, I can accomplish anything.
I think there are three great ways to establish a relationship with Christ: Get agood translation of the Bible and read it on a regular basis; go to church and meetwith a small group of Christians regularly; and serve others by being like Jesus inthe ways he lived and led people—putting others first, treating everyone the same,and allowing others to have the glory.
