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As a little girl, I wasn’t interested in watching the Olympics. Even though my Mom told my sister and me that it only took place every four years, I wanted to play with my dolls instead.

As a teen, I became enthralled with the beauty and pageantry and the excitement of elite figure skating and gymnastics competitions.

I was hooked on the Olympics!

I inhaled every skating or gymnastics competition on TV. I’d record the competitions or exhibitions and watch them over and over again.

I was mesmerized.

I was sooo enamored with the Olympics that I started taking figure skating AND gymnastics lessons.

I’m so grateful to my parents for spending hours shuttling me to or from skating or gymnastics lessons (I actually got good driving practice with my Dad on the way to the gym.)

My parents also enjoyed taking me to watch skating shows and buying me skating and gymnastics magazines and memorabilia.

I didn’t just want to be in the gym or rink, I wanted to meet all my favorite Olympians.

Amazingly, I got to meet many of them during a prestigious gymnastics summer camp I went to.

That wasn’t enough.

My Dear Dad also took us to watch our very first Gymnastics Olympic Trials. I think I went to watch two more Olympic Trials live after that.

That still wasn’t enough.

I dreamed of traveling to all the Olympic stadiums around the world.

I was amazed that I got to visit the Olympic stadium in Athens Greece as a teen when my parents sent my sister and me on a trip to Europe through my high school.

I still wanted more.

My obsession with the world’s biggest sporting event would compel me to study journalism. Although there were several reasons why I majored in journalism, my ultimate dream was to go to an Olympics as a reporter.

Where did I get that audacious dream?

I’m not sure, but I’d go on to meet and interview or photograph many of my favorite Olympians.

You can see a few pics from what I call my “Olympiac Daze” in this short video.

And amazingly, my dream of going to an Olympics as a reporter and spectator came true very early on in my journalism career.

I went to the Summer Olympics to chase elite athletes.

God had a divine plot twist for me.

God chased me down at the Olympics.

My life has never been the same.

I still write and speak about that moment because God met me in such a special way that day in Olympic Park.

MY TRUE GOLD MEDAL MOMENT

It was my last day at the Olympics. I had had a wonderful week attending some events, meeting some athletes, and soaking in all the sights and sounds.

I loved seeing the world come together in PEACE for this global sporting event. I loved hearing the different languages being spoken and seeing the fans and athletes wearing their flags with pride and cheering for their home countries. I reveled in all the festivities I could.

Making it to an Olympics was my gold medal moment.

Or so I thought.

I had been captivated by making it to the Games for so many years. But on my final day there, I still felt empty.

I had gotten myself to the other side of the world and it still wasn’t enough.

I realized it would never be enough.

On my last day there, I was at Olympic Park crying.

I think all of my Mom’s and sister’s prayers finally kicked in.

God had finally gotten my attention.

I realized I didn’t deserve all these blessings and wonderful experiences.

I had been running away from God.

As I pursued my journalism career and my passion for sports, I had drifted further and further from God.

I loved God, but I had tried to put Him on a shelf.

I was making my plans and asking God to bless them.

I had my own dreams and desires and vision for my life.

I had gotten myself pretty far.

Notice, all the “I’s” in my recent statements?

I had been rebelling against God and not asking Him for guidance and direction.

Big mistake.

There at Olympic Park, I was overwhelmed by God’s grace and love and mercy.

Without a pastor or evangelist near me, I surrendered my life to God.

Looking back, that was my ultimate Gold Medal Moment.

OUR DREAMS VS. GOD’S DREAMS FOR US

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying sports or exceling in your career.

But if your identity, worth, and value are wrapped up in your interests, hobbies, career, title, or relationships, watch out.

Does God have first place in your heart?

God wants to be at the center of our life.

God wanted to be at the center of my heart.

At the Olympics and soon afterward, God graciously showed me that I had made idols out of sports and my career.

That was a defining and sacred moment when God called me at the Olympics. He later called me to lay down my journalism career. (Please note He doesn’t ask everyone to do that.)

I’ve been on a faith adventure ever since.

That journey has been long and winding, but has included many adventures including going to Israel (years ago) as well as going on five short-term missions trips to five countries.

It’s also included serving as a prayer counselor at a Billy Graham Crusade and a Luis Palau Festival and training as a volunteer chaplain.

I’m now using my writing and speaking gifts to encourage people as they walk by abounding faith, hope, and love and dare to live their God-given dreams. You can learn more at AboundingFaith.com.

I’ve spoken to a group of Christians working at the United Nations, students at a Christian college, given my brief testimony at an evening service at Times Square Church, and more. I’ve also hosted a few of my own events and am now a contributing writer for Our Daily Bread Ministries.

I’m also a Bible school instructor. Surprisingly enough, one of my recent students was a two-time Olympian. Only God could orchestrate that!

None of these were my idea.

I’ve just continued to try to follow as the Lord leads.

I’m honored to be the author of six Christian living books and devotionals.

I write about how God called me to follow Him in my new book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress, available wherever books are sold) and in By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad (available on Amazon).

After God met me at a Summer Olympics, He allowed me to go to a Winter Olympics as a reporter and spectator. That was another incredible experience, but by then God was Lord of my life.

I’m so grateful that I can now enjoy the Olympics like a regular fan at home.

I still get excited and cheer for the athletes to do their best. I admire their hard work and dedication.

But my identity isn’t wrapped around who I’m meeting or interviewing.

I’m sharing parts of my story to inspire you and as a cautionary tale.

We can have dreams for our life, but have we checked in with God?

That’s why my latest book is titled God-Given Dreams.

God has even better dreams for us than we could ever hope or imagine (Ephesians 2:20-21 NIV).

God has given us gifts, talents, and abilities.

God has good works ordained for us to do (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

Have you asked God how He wants you to use those gifts, talents, and abilities to honor Him?

I love when athletes thank God right when they win their competition.

RUN YOUR RACE WELL

We may not be athletes, but did you know that we’re all in a race?

We’re not competing against each other though.

In the following Bible verses, the apostle Paul compared a Christian’s journey to being in a race:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV)

Earthly crowns and medals and wealth will fade one day. The apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Corinth, and us, to be disciplined as we live for Christ. He is our true and lasting treasure.

Everything else pales in comparison to the hope we have of heaven through Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews encouraged readers, and us, to run the race marked for us with perseverance. Life is a marathon, not a sprint:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)

As we keep our eyes on Jesus and consider all that He endured on the Cross for us, we won’t grow weary or lose heart along our journey.

If you’ve been running away from God like I was, I encourage you to run toward Him.

God loves you!

We can’t outrun God’s love for us!

May these Bible verses inspire you as you run your race:

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)

NOTE ABOUT PICS

I’m so grateful that God has allowed me to experience many of my Olympic dreams over the years. The above pics are from FOUR Olympic sites (I’ve also driven past the stadium in Los Angeles.)

Why do I still get excited about the Olympics? I love it when the world comes together in PEACE. It’s still a thrill to watch the world’s best athletes come together in friendly (but fierce) competition. When the elite athletes are at their best, they’re amazing.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™