Elite Athletes Encounter GodSample

Hope in difficult times

Andreas “Swider” Widhölzl (Austria)
Olympic Champion (3 Olympic Medals) & 2x World Champion (9 medals) in Ski Jumping & Ski Flying

From 1994 - 2008 I was a ski jumper in the Austrian National Team and had many successes to celebrate. Amongst other things I became Vice World Champion in ski flying and received multiple gold medals at World Championships and Olympic Games. I am married and am a father of three children. 

For the first year after receiving the sports bible it stayed on my bookshelf. I neither believed in God or anything else. I believed in myself, my sport and my family. Everything went like clockwork. I simply didn’t give God any thought. Why should I? I was doing fairly well without Him!

When my wife started dealing with the topic of faith, I was irritated at first. She spoke of imparting values to our children. She prayed with them and she started reading the Bible. However, I experienced how my “new” wife was more balanced and content than she was before. So, I thought to myself, “there has to be something to it?” So! I started to gain interest in learning about Christianity. During that time many people who could give us answers crossed our path, and step by step lead us on our journey of faith. Today I clearly recognize this as God’s leading. By reading the Bible, having conversations, and especially by noticing changes in my own life, I clearly knew: Only one truth exists for me! Jesus Christ! He is the Son of God and my savior. 

The Bible verse that has accompanied me ever since then, and still comforts me in hard times to this day is found in the book of 2nd Corinthians, chapter 4, verses 8-10: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

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.