The Writer as an Athlete?

Hagg Lake. Only ten minutes from my house. The site of the 2007 Age Group Nationals USAT Triathlon. (1.5K Swim, 40K Bike, 10K Run)

This past weekend, our church had the pleasure of hearing Barb Lindquist, an elite retired triathlete. It’s unbelievable how many times this woman has been on the podium. If you ever get a chance to hear her speak, run/bike/swim as fast as you can to get there!

Having gone into college (Stanford!) as the top swimmer Wyoming ever produced, Barb was expected to deliver great results for her team. She experienced A LOT of success, both academically and athletically, but there came a time when fear of failure crippled her. She stopped swimming.

Only after she truly understood that her identity did not come from her swimming times or her grades, but from the Lord Jesus Christ, did she get the competitive drive back. This time, she turned to the triathlon. The first year she went pro, she searched for a way to know whether her competing again was in God’s will or not.

Two things happened that year which confirmed her decision:
1) During a home stay where she was placed with an extremely popular triathlete, she shared her, up ’til now, personal faith. Never had witnessing come so easily to her.
2) Injured the day before she was to compete in Japan, she worried she might not be able to complete the race. She never felt the injury at all.


I hope I haven’t embellished her story in any way as I’m doing this sans notes, but her journey is an amazing one. I couldn’t help but relate it to my journey as a writer. I feel a confirmation in my soul that I am following God’s path for my life when:
1) I find myself in conversation that begin with me being asked, “What do you do?” and end with me sharing how the Lord is working in my life.
2) Rejections–the writer’s injury–don’t even phase me anymore.

As Barb said, “God could have had me win the race if He had wanted me in the 2000 Olympics.” (She did compete in the 2004 Olympic Games.)

God, in all His awesome power, is not bound by a publishing committee’s decision. He can publish me whenever He wants.

4 Responses to The Writer as an Athlete?

  1. Tammy Bowers July 2, 2007 at 12:09 pm #

    Amen, sister! Your post gives me renewed determination. All the wrong publihers FOR ME, will say no. The right one will say yes.
    Thanks. TB

  2. Sally Bradley July 3, 2007 at 2:33 pm #

    Great challenge there, not to let fear keep me from writing.

    Too bad all our typing doesn’t keep us in athletic form!

  3. Dianne July 4, 2007 at 11:49 am #

    Great challenge here, Christina. Thanks for sharing this story!

  4. Christina Berry July 4, 2007 at 10:34 pm #

    To Tammy, Sally, and Dianne: Thanks! I’m glad her testimony coudl impact you, too, as I’m sure what I wrote wasn’t half as powerful as her actual speaking.

    Sally, at least we have HUGE finger muscles! 😉