Chris Maragos

What effect does your faith have on your lifestyle?

The older I get, the more I am learning that nothing is about me; it’s all about the Lord. The further I go in my career the more I realize that it’s not about what I do but it’s about reflecting Christ and showing the world how great He is. Everything is from the Lord. So I live my life trusting in Him.

Describe how your Journey with Christ began.

I grew up in a Christian home, knowing everything that there was to know about the Bible, but it wasn’t personal for me. I never had submitted my life to the Lord; I was just going through the motions. I had tried to find satisfaction in a lot of different things: partying, drugs, friends, school, or sports. Everything would work for a little while but then fade away. I needed something that was permanent and satisfying. I found Christ to be real and submitted my life to Him. Finding my purpose and satisfaction in Him, I was then able to use all those other things to bring more glory and honor to Him and look at them as a blessing rather than my identity.

Who have been the mentors in your life? How did God bring these people into your life?

Wayne Beilgard, a pastor in my home town, he’s the man. He’s one of the Godliest men that I’ve ever known in my life. He lives his faith in action, being unashamed of the Gospel. Wayne is all about reflecting the Glory of the Lord in his life. I also had many mentors through Athletes In Action during college and in the NFL. I’m so thankful for all the people God has placed in my life.

What does the Increase of Christ mean to you?

As He increases, there’s more of Him and less of us. As we put Him in the center of our lives, there’s no room for our own selfishness. I always want to submit to His plan because then my own desires slip away and He becomes all of me.

What is your life verse and why?

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33 This verse in Matthew has been my life verse since I first came to Christ. It’s funny because this is a verse that I’ve clung to for 14 years now but it’s being refreshed to me everyday. So many times my heart wants to put my career, my wife, my kids or my friends first but I always go back to this verse. When I seek Christ first, everything else falls into place. It’s amazing that I can learn so much more about myself and my relationship with the Lord constantly through the same verse. This is such a testimony to the fact that the Scriptures are living and active.