 ‘Running with all my heart’ By Stuart Weir Nick Willis from New Zealand entered 2008 as a good runner. He was the 2006 Commonwealth Champion. He had reached the 2004 Olympic semi-final and the 2007 World Championship final. He finished 2008 as a great runner. He took bronze in the Olympic 1500 metres and then won the Fifth Avenue mile in New York.
Running is something of a spiritual experience for him. ‘Running with all my heart is a way for me to thank God for the opportunities and gifts he has given me. As I trained for the Olympics, I constantly remind myself that all I have comes from God, and without Him, I would not be the person I am today. ‘Whether I win or lose, I believe that God gets great joy when I approach my training, working and racing with an attitude of power, love and discipline. I also try to adopt this same view when it comes to other areas of my life.’ Willis was born on the 25 April 1983 in New Zealand, but attends college in the United States – University of Michigan – where he studies economics. His brother Steve is also an athlete, and they are the only brothers in the history of New Zealand to have both broken 4:00 minutes for the mile – as they say ‘Not a lot of people know that’. Nick’s mother died from cancer when he was four years old. Looking back he feels this experience made him ‘a very driven child, using sport as a way for me to feel important. I had to win everything I took part in to maintain my self-esteem. I was angry at God for allowing her to die and often viewed my life as unfair.’ As a teenager he was keen to leave New Zealand and explore the world. A running scholarship to America was his escape route. Everything went well at university but somehow the dream was not what he expected it to be. ‘The very things I thought would make me happy—running successes, seeing the world, good grades, and lots of friends—had only left me empty and unfulfilled. I started feeling a sense of God’s presence in my life. Little by little, He began showing me that there was more to my life than simply my own desires. ‘In October 2003, I asked Jesus to forgive me from my sins against people and against God. I thanked Him for sacrificing his life, so that I could be forgiven and have the 100% guarantee of joining Him in heaven when I die. Now, every day is an opportunity for me to thank Him. At this point in my life, I get to do this through the awesome experience of running with all my heart for God.’ ‘Jesus showed me how we can live life to the fullest. Rather than seeking money or power, He chose to help feed the hungry and heal the sick. Jesus lived a perfect life, never deceiving or hurting anyone. Many people started following Jesus, and cheered that He would become their new king. The leaders in power became fearful of Jesus, so they decided to have Him killed. Jesus did not run or hide, but chose to accept this fate. The coolest thing about Jesus is that although He was the Son of God, and had the ability to do anything, he still allowed the soldiers to nail him to a cross. His innocence has now made it possible for all of us who are guilty to be forgiven, and set free from our sin.’ New Zealand’s Nick Willis runs in the pack during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Nick says ‘all I have comes from God, and without Him, I would not be the person I am today.’
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