Elite Athletes Encounter GodНамуна

Lay down your worries

Mark Quimet (Canada)
Played as ice hockey player for Baltimore Skipjacks, Worcester IceCats and many more

As a professional in ice hockey I played for different teams in Canada and lastly for the ZSC Lions in Switzerland. In 1998 my brother (also an ice hockey professional) wrote the following words to me: “3 years ago I gave my life to Jesus!”. I told him that he was crazy. In the following weeks we frequently talked about God. During that time I felt a growing desire to know more about God, the Bible and life after death. Somehow, I felt that I needed Jesus. Eventually I fell on my knees and asked God to forgive my sins. Since that decision, I know that God cares for me and that I can throw all my worries and fears on Him. 

I see it as a big blessing to even be able to be an ice hockey player. I saw many countries and celebrated quite a few successes (among other things the Swiss Championship Title with ZSC in 2000 and 2001). 

Being an elite athlete doesn’t guarantee you an easy life. I experienced many hardships through injuries and surgeries, and spent many months on the substitutes’ bench. A significant experience for me was when I was severely injured in a game in Finland in 2004. I was flung against the wall by a defender and was lying unconscious on the cold ice for a while. Neurologists diagnosed a severe concussion and whiplash. After my recovery I tried to get back in my old form. But due to massive migraine attacks, I was limited to such an extent that I had to give up my favorite sport. For 30 years ice hockey was my life, and now it was taken away from me by an unfair player. I felt as if someone amputated my soul. I started to have fear about my future, and I asked myself, “What will become of me? Where will I go?” For months I walked in darkness and cried out to God asking Him about what I should do. For roughly five months, it appeared to me as if God was deaf and that He had forgotten me. But God is faithful. He led me into a completely different direction than I thought He would. I completed a four-year education as a social worker. Now I work in a youth center for teenagers with unusual behavioral problems. 

Looking back, I can honestly say that I was able to experience God as my helper and savior. He is my strength when I am weak. He is faithful and has a good plan for my life. Although I don’t always agree with his guidance right away, I know that He only has the best in mind for me. 

In my favorite bible verse from the Old Testament God speaks: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

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.