Elite Athletes Encounter Godنموونە

Restored relationships

Jörg Walcher (Austria/Switzerland)
International ecumenical Sports Chaplain since 2003 at Olympic Games and World Championships as well as former Snowboard Professional

When I was 12 years old my father started drinking again after having been sober for 5 years. In the following years, serious depression, the divorce of my parents, high debt, and the collapse of all family ties severely affected my life. 

My heart hardened towards my father. Then, one day at the age of 22 I was invited to a church service by my mother. A former surfer from South Africa shared about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I didn’t know that I could experience a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The pastor invited us to pray a personal prayer to God, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our life. I closed my eyes and told Jesus in my heart, “If you really exist, then come into my heart, and my life is yours.” To my big surprise an overwhelming love came over me that I cannot describe in words! I stood there for one hour, two hours… and when I opened my eyes, everyone had already left. I stood still there, and I knew, “Wow, He really exists!!!” With this love, anything is possible! A new sense of freedom that I’ve never experienced before came over me. In this moment, I could even forgive my father for the first time. 

In the days and weeks that followed, it this encounter drew me to reading the Bible. Suddenly, certain paragraphs and verses had a personal meaning to me, and I experienced how God would speak directly to me through the Bible. 

One morning when I was reading the Bible, I had the impression to call my father. He told me that he collapsed twice during the night, yet he refused my suggestion to visit the hospital. During our phone call he collapsed a third time and he was brought to the hospital immediately. 

When I arrived at the hospital, I was informed that there was little hope left for my father. When I entered the hospital room, I thought to myself, “I don’t care what the doctors and nurses think of me.” I laid my hands on his chest and prayed for him. I wanted him to experience the same love of Jesus that I did a few years ago. So, I prayed for healing. 

Five days later my father was responsive again. I visited him and asked him if he wanted to invite Jesus into his heart and pray a short prayer to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I read the prayer to him and he was willing to repeat it after me and became born again. 

Five weeks later, the doctor said that the X-ray of my father showed no signs of any effects. We could hardly believe it! However, over the years his immune system entirely failed. My mother decided to bring him home to care for him. She knew that he would never survive all by himself. I discouraged her from this idea and reminded her of the hardships that she experienced throughout her marriage. However, my mother was determined to take this step. Neither the family property nor any emotional attraction could have led her to take such a step - only the compassion of God. 

Weeks after this, my father told me that He was completely set free from depression and that he didn’t need alcohol any more. In 2002, my parents remarried. I was my father’s best man during their wedding!

My love and relationship with my father was completely restored. Today, I am incredibly proud of my parents. Only God could restore our family! Inviting Jesus into my heart, completely trusting and following Him, was, and is, the most important decision of my life. The love towards God and man became my purpose in life. 

Action Step

God also wants to encounter YOU. Invite the Holy Spirit to read the bible passage with you and expect that he will speak to you. Trust that God will show you the steps you should take in your own life. Ask Him for strength and courage to follow his voice.