It was nearly 14 years ago in a dark, moldy, indoor pool on the outside of Detroit, Michigan that I dove into my first swim practice for a competitive swim team. At the time, my younger self didn't comprehend the difficulty of the sport I had chosen. I did what the coaches asked, pushing myself through miles upon miles in the pool. My reputation on the team was that I didn't take a break on any set, that I pushed no matter the circumstances. But, it was in the locker room of that pool that I asked Jesus into my heart for the rest of my life.

Many races and years later, I continued to swim because it was something I savored. I swam for the best days of the sport-- when that long-standing personal, team, or pool record was broken. But ultimately, I had been swimming for myself. I told people that I was swimming for my Creator to hide the personal pride I got in achieving MY best times. It was my team and my hard work that got me there. Sure I would point to Him in the good races, but what about the bad ones?

Over the course of the last year, however, God has taught me more about myself through the water.

It's easy to get caught up in an idea of separating God from sports...except that He gives me "the ability to play this sport" or "He's kept me from injury." But God gave more than just a skill or protector on the field, He gave all of us a platform and a purpose.

On a collegiate team, there are usually not many Christian examples to follow at a large public school like mine. The idea in many athletes is that sports and having a social life come first before school. It's easy to feel invincible when you are at the top of your game, but God will continually remind that He's in control. But when a high-level athlete puts God at the center of everything they do, its confusing to a group that has priorities in a completely different place. The crazy part? Putting Him at the center satisfies more than any personal record ever could.

In high school, I was in much of a bubble, where it was taught leaving that bubble will change you in an irreversible way. They were right, but not in the way they thought. To me, I was and am upon a platform to be a light in a dark place. But what people didn't realize is how much growth happens when your faith is challenged every single day. Staying in the bubble gives you baby food when God wants to grow and give you meat. But to give you meat, it takes tests.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." ~Matthew 5:16 NIV

So as athletes, we are not scared of tests. It is easy to be overwhelmed when your mind and heart gets pulled in numerous directions. It's easy to box God into just your personal life, but He wants to have every part. When God has your full heart, its scary and uncertain. The heart full of God is the heart full of freedom.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4 NASB

As athletes, we are on an incredible platform. Some of us may be the only Christians on the whole team, therefore there's labels of "religious," "no fun," "that Christian kid." But when the light shines, the dark doesn't understand.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not comprehended it." ~John 1:5 NIV

So, go out and be the quiet dependable example of something different. Work hard on the field, court, or in the pool to be the best athlete you can be, but most importantly one that respects their teammates, coaches, and fellow competitors. It's not just about good sportsmanship, its about shining a light to people that don't understand light. Don't judge others for the decisions they make, but show your teams that just a taste of the incredible LOVE that God has for us is a reason to reevaluate our priorities. There will be some tough decisions you will make. You'll have to make those to find that awesome satisfaction. It may mean not drinking, not going home with that girl, and instead finding different ways to bond with your team. When you ask God to take your ability in your sport, I find that each practice doesn't become as mentally tiring. You compete and do every step/stroke/throw/shot/jump because God has put you on that venue for a purpose. Whether you are starting or sitting on the sidelines, God has you there for a reason.

It's easy to have the goal of being conference champions, having personal bests, going far in nationals, whatever the athletic goal may be. But, its even more difficult to have the goal of bringing your team closer to God. Beyond what you accomplish in your sport, the legacy you will leave behind is how you respected your teammates, coaches, and how you made the team better.

Do you want to spend 4-5 years competing and contributing to a great athletic team or do you want to be a part of life changes in athletes who will enter the world in just a few short years?

I hope that the answer is both. Go out and honor God with your sport, but never forget to use the amazing platform opportunity you have.