Brennan Coil - Track & Field

I was…

Lost and confused. I was raised in a strong Christian home by parents who pushed us to follow Christ, but I never made my faith my own. Yes, I went to church every Sunday, was an active member of my church’s youth group, and was even baptized as a freshman in high school, but it was only surface level. I never truly understood my faith because I placed all of my identity and self-worth into sports. This led me down a destructive path of drinking, partying, and poor decisions throughout high school and into my time here at IWU.

But Christ…

Showed me that that all of my sins, failures, and shortcomings were not what defined me as a person. I had to hit rock bottom to understand this, but when I did, he gave me a renewed hope in life. A fire was lit inside of me that has redefined my faith and changed the way I view sports, my life, and my relationship with him. It amazes me that we serve a God that is so powerful and gracious at the same time.

And now…

I am constantly striving to put my identity in God instead of sports or the materialistic items that I used to let shape me. I know that I am not perfect, and I never will be, but I am allowing God to shape me into the man he created me to be. This journey has not been easy but no one’s faith walk is perfect and that is part of the glory of being a Christian. We each have a story that can be used to impact the lives of others that have struggled or are actively struggling. As I continue to pursue Christ, I look forward to the challenge that each day brings and the lessons that I am being taught.

Life Verse

So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

Challenge to Other Athletes/Coaches

1. Get deep with your teammates, coaches, and your friends. Discuss your struggles and be open to letting other into your life.

2. On and off the field, praise God during the times of success and the times of struggle. Every event in life is a blessing from God in which he is trying to teach you a lesson, whether you recognize it right now or not.

3. Do not take the gifts and talents you have been gifted with for granted. We have a limited time on this earth and God has blessed each and every one of us with specific abilities that are to be used to further his kingdom here on this earth.

4. Every day is a new chance to let God shape and mold you into the man or woman he has called you to be. Be open to his teachings, actively pursue a relationship with him, and do not keep what he is teaching you to yourself. Go out and share what God is actively doing in your life.