| That changed my life, because it forced me to take a look at myself, because I assumed I was a decent person. I was fairly intelligent; I never hurt anybody; I paid my bills. I was successful by the world's standards. I had friends; people like me. I remember saying, "There's nothing wrong with me; what are you talking about? Why are you saying there is something wrong with me?"
I started going back to church, but I was ticked off every time. I left mad at God. The preacher would speak, and I'd be mad at him when I left. Then one night I just said, "Forget it." I went to a Bible study and just sat there and listened. They happened to be studying a topic that I was dealing with at the time - relationships. I thought, "Stop fighting, and just figure it out." I remember saying to God, "If I'm wrong, let me know and I'll change my ways."
My relationship with Jesus has changed me dramatically. I used to run out of fear and out of anger. I used to get up to the line and curse girls in my head. I would get on the line, and it was all about winning. Now, even though the nature of sport is to win, the process has become much more important and much more valuable than the actual reaching the goal. I have to be grown-up. My primary goal is to follow God's will.
I don't know how anybody is going to be at the Olympic Games, but I know that I'm going out there to try to medal. You know, the odds are totally against me. No one out there thinks I can win. Each time out I have to prove myself to people. That's why God's got to be the focus in the direction I go.
I don't know what anybody else out there in the world is doing. You train, and count on God's strength like that verse in Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
A couple of years ago, I wasn't trying to hear anything about God. I felt like I was enlightened, and I believed that God is everywhere, and all that kind of stuff. But then God made himself real to me.
Sometimes I laugh at myself and say, "You actually believe this stuff?" It's kind of like when I wasn't saved then I was. I saw the definite difference in my life, and I go, "You actually believe that?" Then I go, "Yes I do."
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