Originally published in Charisma News
US soccer star Clint Dempsey is virtually stealing the show in this year’s World Cup.
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But the United States isn’t the only thing Clint Dempsey is representing on the field.
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“Now my faith in Christ is what gives me confidence for the future,” Dempsey told Sports Spectrum in a recent interview.
Born into a Catholic household, the World Cup athlete’s life took a dramatic turn at age 12 when his sister unexpectedly died of a brain aneurism. Questions about life and suffering drove thoughts of God far from his mind.
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“For a number of years, I struggled and put distance between God and me. But He was faithful and patient and provided gradual healing and strength,” said Dempsey.
Even a second chance at life after narrowly avoiding a fatal car ride with two college teammates didn’t awaken Dempsey to God’s control over his life. What drew him back to God wasn’t circumstances.
Instead, it was God’s Word.
While attending a Bible study with friends at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, Dempsey realized that he needed to actively pursue God rather than just affirm His existence.
“God’s Word brought me peace and a desire for a relationship with Him … I found that questioning Him and searching for answers through Scripture helped me grow and gave me direction.”
And so, by going straight to the original source—the Bible, what God has to say about himself—Dempsey found a relationship with Christ that has sustained him ever since.
Read the full interview with Dempsey here.
