As a high school and college track athlete, Jesus was my competitive edge. I read scriptures before every meet and believed that being a Christian would translate into good athletic performances. When I was diagnosed with cancer, and my track and field career ended with one year of eligibility remaining, Jesus was my comfort. Before, I perused Christ for what I could get out of the relationship with Him. But I found that there’s so much more to it than that.

There’s a reason you said “yes” to Jesus that is special and unique to you. Perhaps you said, “yes” to help you become a better player or coach, heal a broken heart, secure a good future, or have eternal life. The truth is, each of our journeys began the same way. God chose us, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44).

We pursue our sport for the many things we can get out of it (glory, fame, fun, and so on). We pursue Christ because of who He is, all He’s done for us, and the fact that He loved us first. We have life through Him! Pursuing life surrendered to Christ is how we say, “Thank You.”