Road to GoldSample

No Other God by David Boudia

Ready:
“You must not have any other god but me.”    -Exodus 20:3

Set:
For much of my life, I bowed at the feet of gods fashioned of gold, silver and bronze.

I made it my focus to be an Olympian. I was going to win, and I would revel in the fame and the celebrity it brought. In 2004, I qualified for the Beijing Olympics. It was a dream come true.

Except it was more of a nightmare.

It nearly ruined my life. My synchronized diving partner and I failed to make the podium early in the Beijing Olympics, and that was a reality check.

I decided to invest everything in my individual event a few days later.

Instead of medaling, I finished 10th. I thought I had disappointed my team, my parents, and everyone who had invested in me. I felt like a complete and utter failure. That’s what happens when your god betrays you. The Olympics didn’t supply me with any joy or provide the happiness I thought they were going to bring.

I decided to get a fresh start at Purdue. Since people knew I was an Olympian, this was a chance for me to get the fame and the glory that I craved. That satisfaction was fleeting, and life began to make less and less sense. My life was in chaos.

I went to my coach looking for a quick fix. Instead, he gave me Jesus. Over the weeks ahead, I began learning more about the Bible, about Christ and who He was. That’s when my life totally transformed. I realized that God had given me this ability and platform for a specific reason–to bring Him glory.

In 2012 I once again made the Olympic team. This time, I went to London desperately seeking to honor the Lord. I won a gold medal. That’s not to say that God will always give us what we want if we make him the priority in our lives. It is to say that God is a gracious, loving Father who does good things for His people.

When I was desperately chasing everything other than God, He loved and pursued me anyway. Now He has given my life a new meaning and purpose, and a heart that wants to know Him and make Him known. The platform He’s given me to do that is diving. I expect to defend my gold medal at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but what’s clearly evident is that He alone is the One who is mighty to save.

Go:
• What are the “gods” you are putting first in your life before God?
• How can you ask God to completely satisfy your heart?
• List three ways you can give your all for His glory.

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