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share her faith. A PasSion thaT drIvEs by Emily Copeland Durham I’ve been in professional wakeboarding for over sixteen years. What a ride it’s been! I’ve been blessed to travel the world and, with some hard work, I’ve accumulated World, US Masters, US Pro Tour, and X-Game titles. But the highlight of my career hasn’t been the trophies; it’s been the relationships I’ve developed with those in the water sports industry, especially with fellow competitors. In the world of wakeboarding, it’s no secret that I’m a Christian. My greatest joy is to share God’s love with all I meet and to help my peers grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. I want to make His love known and light a fire in others to know Him too. You may wonder why I am so passionate about sharing my faith, why I’m eager to help others know God as I am learning to know Him. It’s because He is so good. His goodness is overwhelming. He gives what no trophy, paycheck, or earthly title can give. He fills His children to overflowing. He’s filled me. Every day, in good times and bad, I experience peace, hope, joy, love, contentment, and purpose. I want others to have these things for themselves. People don’t have to strive in this world to find their place. They already have a place—it’s in Christ. They don’t have to fight to be recognized and applauded—they are already known by the Creator of this universe, and He is pleased. I’ve been a Christian since I was a young child, but it wasn’t until I was sixteen years old that I decided to take a public stand for my faith. This commitment started with an interview in Waterski Magazine, where I told the water sports world that I was a believer in Jesus. At that moment, I realized there was no turning back. Making such a public statement meant that I had to be 100 percent committed. No longer could I just go to church and sit on a pew; I had to be a living example of what it means to be a Christian. I wanted to be a voice for God. That decision changed my life. Emily is all smiles as she soars through the air at Schroon Lake in New York. Emily visits Word of Life Island every summer to share her passions of wakeboarding and Jesus Christ with youth attending Word of Life camp. It’s just one of the ways Emily uses the platforms she has to First, it led me to guard the way I live. Even as a teen, I knew professing to be a Christian would put me under a microscope. The world would be watching how I reacted to situations and people. Therefore, I had a responsibility to honor God with my choices. It’s kind of like when you say you’re a vegetarian. Everyone watches to see if you eat meat! I held this responsibility in high regard. I wanted to live in a way that drew people to God, not pushed them away. A life with Jesus is exciting, fulfilling, and purpose-filled. I wanted to show that. I certainly never wanted to lead anyone astray because of a negative word or deed. I also learned to guard the way I live, because I love God. He gave His best for me, and I want to give my best for Him. I want to honor Him through my actions and live a life that pleases Him. I never want to grieve Him by the way I live. It hasn’t always been easy to stand strong in my faith, and I surely haven’t been perfect. Even as a Christian, I struggle with internal emotions. For years, I wrestled with people pleasing. I wanted to please everyone—my parents, my brother who was my coach, sponsors, and fans. I lived with a perpetual feeling that I needed to do something for somebody…anybody. I still struggle! I have to constantly keep my motives in check and ask Emily preparing to compete in her third appearance on American Ninja Warrior, to be aired on NBC during the summer of 2017. God’S woRd sHoweD me who i wAs. I’M noT juSt a wakEboaRder cloThed in A baThIng SuIt. no. I Am a chiLd of gOd, A daUghtEr oF thE kiNg, WortH evErytHing to Him, Even the lIfE of hIs son. 18 18 kojministries.kojministries org org Issue Issue 2 2 2017 2017 photography courtesy of Word Of Life Island God Su Ev


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