BOOK REVIEW: The redemption of Bryan Clay is an inspiring story …

When you hear a Christian athlete has written a book, it takes only seconds for the stereotypical story to form: a star athlete with lots of ego and a praying grandmother finally finds God and then wins big.

While there are some similarities in Bryan Clay’s new book, “Redemption” (published by Thomas Nelson and written with Joel Kilpatrick) there are some refreshing and interesting differences.

Yes, Bryan Clay is a great athlete. Being a two-time Olympic medal winner of the decathlon would put his standing as one of the greatest athletes in the world. But his issue wasn’t so much his ego as it was a rebellious spirit, and it was his mother who was his constant prayer warrior.

Although Clay grew up in Hawaii, life was not a paradise. Things got difficult for Clay early. His parents fought often and loudly, filling the family with strife. The rocky marriage ending in divorce didn’t bring peace, but simply added fuel to Clay’s rebellious ways. His mother was advised to get Clay into sports as a means of heading off a potential ugly future for him, but that didn’t happen immediately.

The book goes on to tell a very real story of a man who slowly found a calling and a place for himself in sports. He didn’t suddenly think he would be a great athlete, or consider himself the best on the track. It’s not a story of a man who started with a boyish dream of being an Olympic champion, but rather the story of a man who learned how to push through multiple times of nearly throwing in the towel when things got tough.

But he didn’t.

And yes, that is where God comes in.

That’s because, through all his struggles, Clay heard the call of God and answered. His redemption by Jesus Christ changed his life. Clay didn’t become a champion by squeezing a little room for God into his life. He became a champion after making God the priority of his life, followed by family, and then his sports career.

And his greatest victory of all? Was it the silver medal of the 2004 Olympics? Or finally getting gold in the 2008 Olympics? Neither. It was his redemption, and the transformation that brought.

“Redemption” is more than the telling of the forging of a champion; it’s the tale of the forging of a disciple. Putting the two together offers insight and inspiration to anyone looking for an enjoyable new summer read.

Scotty

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of
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required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed
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