www.ironprayer.com
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.
ATHLETE TESTIMONY - James Merrill
My name is James Merrill and I can't
claim to be much, but I have been a Christian for a few years now
and I'm also an Ironman. I completed my first (and only
Ironman to date) in 2002 here in NZ. I can safely say that it was
the most spiritual experience of my life to date, and that's saying
something when you know how spiritually numb I am.
I'd made a point throughout my training
to invite God along with me to enjoy the adventure and the
experience. Then in the final day leading up to the race I was
suffering from what I guess are the usual pre race nerves so I was
praying a lot. Praying that I'd make it and that he'd be with
me every step of the way, that he'd join me in greatest challenge of
my life to date.
Now I'm not much of an athlete. I
had planned my own training program, my wetsuit was an old borrowed
one that leaked around the arms, I had also borrowed wheels for
my bike, and the only reason I wasn't running in an old worn out
pair of shoes was that a friend had brought my a new pair for the
race. And this was to be my third ever triathlon.
The race day was wet heavily overcast
and it got quiet windy during the cycle, and I just had the best
day. Everything went according to plan I didn't even get cold.
As I said before I am spiritually numb (I rely on my wife for
spiritual feedback) and obviously God is fully aware of this, so
what did he do? He put a song going around and around in my
head. I don't know who sings it or even what the real title is
but the gist of it goes like this:
"There is more to a man that what
meets the eye.
For I know the measure of a man
is not how tall he stands
how wealthy or intelligent you are
I've found out the measure of a man
God knows and understands
for he looks inside to the bottom of
your heart
And what's in the heart defines the
measure of a man"
And needless to say I finished. I
wasn't fast but I finished.
I'm now starting to get myself ready to
race in the 2004 race. Gods got to get me over a few hurdles
before I get there but I'm looking forward to getting closer to
my God and learning more about my faith along the way. If your
are still in the Ironman business I'd love the chance to meet with
you down here in Taupo.
Philippians 4:13
For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.