Rutger DS Ali Schroeter

Describe Your Relationship with Christ
&
How Important Has God Been to Your Success As An Athlete?

- Although I have great parents that loved me and provided for me, I did not grow up in a Christian home. My family was very broken growing up, but we hid it well. From the outside looking in, my life looked “perfect”. I was athletic and popular; I had good grades, a stable family income, and “happiness”. But what most people couldn't see was that my family and I had a lot of problems that never seemed to get resolved.

Love was hard to find in my family so I started forming this mindset that marriage was not possible. I vividly remember telling someone that I believed it was not possible to be with just one person for the rest of my life or even just love only one person my whole life. So when I got to high school I bounced around a lot with guys and friends. Although I stayed physically pure, I gave my heart out to a lot of guys and my day to day happiness depended on my status. I had always believed there was a god but never pursued it. However, the summer after my freshman year of high school, my relationship with God began. I met a group of Christians that I instantly became friends with. They got me involved in Young Life, a high school youth group. That summer I went to the Young Life summer camp, purely to be with my friends. It was a lot of fun recreationally, but on that last night my life changed.

For the first time, I was presented with the Gospel and accepted Christ into my life. It was a time when I was in a state of brokenness and although I didn’t fully understand the idea of a personal relationship with God, I liked the sound of it. So I gave my life to The Lord. Throughout the rest of high school, God was only one part of my life. He was not my first priority in life. Although I called myself a Christian I was not fully walking with The Lord. I put school, friendships, relationships and my sport ahead of Him. Most of my day to day joy and happiness depended on my status with my friends and boyfriend. If they were upset with me or me with them, I felt like my world was crumbling to pieces. My high school volleyball career was a roller coaster of emotions. I placed my self-worth and identity in volleyball. My contentment was based on how I played and I placed a lot of pressure on myself to play well for coaches and crowds. When I didn’t play well, I felt defeated and began thinking that my future was ruined. And when I would do well, I credited it to myself and my team. Never to God.

But by the Grace of God I was given the opportunity to go play Division 1 volleyball at Rutgers University. It wasn’t until I got settled into Rutgers that I learned the true meaning of a personal relationship with Christ. I started doing a weekly bible study with the leaders of Athletes in Action where they thoroughly explained how to have a relationship with The Lord. It was then that I truly began to walk with Christ. This past year, I grew more spiritually than I had in all of those four years of high school combined. I started viewing my life with God in the center of it. I became more relaxed on the court. I stopped worrying about whether or not I was going to get playing time and to just let God take care of me. I credit all my success to Him. And when I don’t succeed, I’m at peace because I know God had planned for that to happen and there’s something greater coming my way. There was a point in time this last spring where I was stuck in a rut of not playing very well. After being frustrated for a week or so, I realized it’s out of my control and to just do the best I can do wherever I’m placed on the court, so I did. And I ended up earning the starting position. He showed me patience and to not worry because He will provide. 

I just recently went to the Athletes in Action’s Ultimate Training Camp in May where I was opened up to an even deeper way to apply God to my sport and life in general. I experienced a complete and total surrender to The Lord, something I’ve never felt before. I realized how much I was holding back from Him. My approach to volleyball practices and workouts have completely changed. I push myself harder than I ever have before because I have confidence in the Lord to get me through it. And when I feel tired or weak I fill my mind with scripture and truths that give me strength. I’ve learned the true meaning of Philippians 4:13: to not just call on God to win a match or to be successful in a particular area in life, but more importantly to know that even in the dark times and the hardest of moments, I will get through it because I have God’s Strength. 

Do You Have Any Favorite Bible Verses?

Proverbs 21:31

“The horse is made ready for battle, but victory rests in The Lord.”

- This verse tells me that yes, The Lord has given me these talents to compete in collegiate volleyball, but always remember that no matter the outcome of the game, I will always be victorious in Christ. The Lord is my one and only means of safety and reliance, no other earthly thing will measure up.  

Isaiah 40:31

“Those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.” 

- When trials hit and the enemy attacks, I know that as long as I stay rooted in The Lord and have hope in Him, I will not stumble. Not only do these verses help me get through those hard workouts and practices, but they get me through everyday life, as well. Those times when I feel weak and tired in any situation, I recite these verses to myself and I’m restored with strength, whether it is mentally, physically, or spiritually. He’s who gets me through life. He’s my motivation.

Psalm 139:14

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”

- God created me exactly the way I am and He loves me for all that I am. I don’t have to try to be something I’m not. His love is something so incomparable to anything on this earth. I’ve come to abide in His Love and not seek any worldly love. He truly is enough.

What Are Your Thoughts On God Using Ordinary People to Impact this Earth?

- Personally, I love seeing and hearing about the way God has used ordinary people for His works. Although I thoroughly respect well known Christians and all that they do to spread the Good News, there's just something so moving about how normal people without any well known religious stature can do God's works of impacting and changing lives. I love what you and your team at 2 MeN & A MiC are doing to spread His word. It's awesome to see God working through all of you. You guys have given me so much encouragement to continue growing in my faith and to continue disciple to my teammates who do not have a relationship with the Lord. I lead a bible study on my volleyball team and at time it can be tough having to deal with mockery and persecution but when I see God working through this online ministry, it gives me more hope for what I'm doing. 

What Are Your Ambitions For the Future?

         

- As for the future, I have three more years of college, so I’m still figuring out God’s Plans for me. But where I’m at right now is I’m just going with the flow. I’m majoring in Journalism and Media Studies, but if The Lord calls me to serve Him in another way, I’ll go. I’m up for anything, as long as it honors my Savior.

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